DUSHANBE, November 25, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- “We support the determination of Asian political parties to strengthen peace and stability in the region and those positive processes that are being held in this direction,” Muhiddin Kabiri, leader of the Islamic Revival Party (IRP) of Tajikistan, announced at the 7th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) that took place in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 22-23.

“Asia, however, remains prone to conflicts and wars and hundreds of millions of nationals of Asian states are deprived of minimum living conditions and many Asian peoples still live in authoritarian and non-democratic countries, IRP leader noted.

“Despite ideological disagreements, Asian political parties must strive for providing support and respect for universal human values and rights in the region,” stressed Kabiri.  “All peoples of the world irrespective of their religion, ideology and traditions deserve stability, peace and prosperity.”

In this connection, he reportedly called on them to pay a special attention to the issues of democracy and observing human rights in Asia.

He also brought the issues related to Afghanistan and the situation in the region after withdrawal of NATO troops from that country to the meeting participants’ attention.

“Despite all efforts, the region remains vulnerable to threats emanating from this country [Afghanistan] and threats existing in the region itself.  Taking into account numerous political, social and economical problems such as lack of free elections, unemployment and corruption, many analysts predict that the situation will deteriorate in the region in the near future.  However, there is an opportunity to anticipate and prevent any cataclysms; if you want to prevent deterioration of the situation, you must determine the problems and find solution to these problems.  Unfortunately, the authorities in the Central Asian nations have got used to tackle problems by use administrative command methods and sometimes even force.”

He called on political parties of Asian nations, especially those sharing cultural and political commonality with Central Asia’s countries, to share their positive experience in building democratic society with the Central Asian nations.

According to some media sources, some 60 political parties from Asian 52 nations acknowledged the slow grind of peace and reconciliation in parts of the Asian region. They pledged to work for peace and development under the principle of “interfaith harmony and political pluralism, the Baku Declaration adopted by the plenary on Friday said.

The assembly reportedly resolved to institutionalize the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC) pushed by former Philippine House of Representatives Speaker Jose de Vanecia Jr., ICAPP founder and co-chair of its Sanding Committee.

The APRC was established   in Bangkok last year to assist and advise the governments in resolving conflicts in the region.

ICAPP also pledge to establish an Asian anti-poverty and micro-financing fund.

The International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) is a forum of political parties of Asia/Oceania countries, which was launched in Manila, Philippines in September 2000. The objectives of the conference are to promote exchanges and cooperation between political parties from different countries in the area and with various ideologies; to enhance mutual understanding and trust among Asian countries; to promote Asia''s regional cooperation through the unique role and channel of political parties; and to create an environment for sustained peace and shared prosperity in the region.

ICAPP now counts as members 318 parties, both ruling and in the opposition, in 52 Asian nations.