Political parties from across Asia have adopted the Seoul Declaration, rejecting unilateral actions and the use or threat of force, and calling for strict respect for international law.

The declaration was adopted unanimously on Friday 6 November at the close of the 13th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), held in Seoul from 4 to 6 November. Representatives of 83 political parties from across Asia took part. The assembly was jointly hosted by South Korea's governing Democratic Party and the opposition People Power Party.

Delegates from Palestine, Iran, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other countries discussed contemporary conflicts, including in Palestine and Iran, although the declaration itself names no specific conflict.

The declaration said members were particularly concerned that "in international relations, unilateral actions, the use of the threat of force, and selective observance of international obligations can erode confidence in the international legal order." It reaffirmed state sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of states and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

War rejected as coercion

Chung Eui-yong, chairperson of the ICAPP Standing Committee and a former foreign minister of South Korea, said the parties had agreed to reject war as an instrument of coercion. He said ICAPP was a platform for dialogue between political parties, which could influence their governments towards the peaceful settlement of disputes rather than acting as mediators.

Beyond security, the declaration addressed democratic governance, climate change and artificial intelligence, calling for responsible, human-centred oversight of AI, equitable climate finance for developing countries, and stronger democratic accountability. The assembly also welcomed the launch of the Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties, and confirmed the 14th General Assembly will be held in Vietnam in 2028.