Opening of the ICAPP Standing Committee meeting.

The 19th meeting of the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), hosted by the Communist Party of Vietnam, opened on the morning of April 25th in Hanoi.

Hoang Binh Quan, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and Head of the Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Department, speaks at the opening session. (Photo: An Dang/VNA)

The conference was attended by 37 delegations representing leaders of ruling parties and major political parties from Asian countries, observers and guests, and regional and international organizations from 26 countries around the world.

In his opening remarks at the conference, Central Committee member and Head of the Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Department Hoang Binh Quan emphasized that, with its open, multilateral, and diversified foreign policy, as a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community, Vietnam has continuously expanded its relations with other countries.

To date, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 180 countries; including strategic partnerships with many, economic and trade relations with nearly 230 countries and territories; and investment relations with nearly 100 countries and territories worldwide.

On the multilateral front, Vietnam is an active and responsible member of all major regional and international organizations and forums. The Party's foreign relations are also constantly expanding. Currently, the Communist Party of Vietnam has relations at various levels with 206 parties in 115 countries around the world.

As a revolutionary party with over 80 years of experience and maturity, and with the achievements and experience of more than 26 years of reform, Vietnam is striving to overcome current difficulties and challenges, confidently implementing a socialist-oriented market economy, and comprehensively accelerating the reform process so that by 2020, it will basically become a modern industrialized country.

Assessing the role and influence of ICAPP over the past 13 years, Head of the Central Committee's Foreign Affairs Department Hoang Binh Quan stated that ICAPP forums and conferences have truly enhanced mutual understanding and promoted cooperation among political parties within and outside the region, a crucial factor contributing to strengthening regional linkages, promoting regional cooperation, and resolving conflicts through the special role of political parties.

Vietnam highly appreciates and acknowledges the important role of the ICAPP Standing Committee – the governing body of ICAPP – which has initiated many practical activities and guided ICAPP's activities towards development in both breadth and depth. Vietnam also hopes for and welcomes initiatives aimed at strengthening the coherence of ICAPP's operations, mechanisms, and principles to consolidate ICAPP's sustainability, and to make ICAPP's activities increasingly more in-depth, substantive, practical, and effective.

Mr. Hoang Binh Quan stated that, in foreign relations, the Communist Party of Vietnam always attaches importance to and advocates for proactive and active participation in multilateral political party organizations and forums. Specifically with regard to ICAPP, promoting and strengthening relations is a priority policy of the Party. Vietnam participated in the first activities of ICAPP and became a member of the ICAPP Standing Committee in September 2004.

As a peace-loving nation and a responsible member of the international community, Vietnam actively supports and cooperates in implementing constructive initiatives and proposals, and wishes to make practical contributions to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

As a member of the ICAPP Standing Committee, the Communist Party of Vietnam is deeply aware of its role and responsibility in promoting the common goals of ICAPP, is ready to share common opportunities and challenges, and continuously strengthens understanding, trust, and cooperation among political parties in the region, working together to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity on the continent.

The International Conference of Asian Political Parties was formed in September 2000 at the initiative of Mr. Joze de Venesia, former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, with the aim of strengthening understanding and trust among Asian political parties, promoting cooperation and creating a common political awareness among parties on regional issues through the special role of political parties in the political arenas of their respective countries; and creating an environment of peace and shared prosperity in the region.

Since 2000, ICAPP has held seven plenary conferences (every two years), rotating among member parties in various countries. In addition to plenary conferences, ICAPP also organizes special workshops and thematic seminars focusing on topical issues such as poverty reduction, environmental protection, and the roles of youth and women in politics.
ICAPP operates in accordance with the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the ICAPP Charter, which emphasize the principles of “unity” and “consensus.”

Although its structure, organizational apparatus, and operating regulations are not yet truly rigorous and not binding on its members, ICAPP is increasingly moving towards an operating model similar to that of an international organization.

ICAPP has established several permanent mechanisms to coordinate joint activities, both during and between General Assemblies, and has developed fundamental operating principles in the ICAPP Charter.

According to (VNA) - LT