For Prelims: UN Charter, State Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity, Unilateral Actions, Full form of ICAPP, Full form of ICDPP, Venue, Dates
For Mains: Multilateralism, UN Charter principles, Political party diplomacy, Non-interference, Geopolitical rivalry
Source:
The Hindu
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- ICAPP stands for International Conference of Asian Political Parties.
- The 13th General Assembly of ICAPP was held in Seoul, South Korea.
- The assembly was held from November 4 to 6, 2026.
- 83 political parties from across Asia participated in the assembly.
- The Seoul Declaration rejects unilateral actions and reaffirms state sovereignty.
Why in the news?
The 13th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) adopted the Seoul Declaration, rejecting unilateral actions and reaffirming state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and strict adherence to the UN Charter. 83 political parties from across Asia participated in the Seoul summit from November 4-6, 2026.
Summary
- ICAPP's 13th General Assembly adopted the Seoul Declaration rejecting unilateral actions and the use or threat of force in international relations.
- The declaration reaffirms state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and strict adherence to the principles of the UN Charter.
- The assembly also launched the Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties (ICDPP) to prevent fragmentation into competing blocs.
- The 14th ICAPP General Assembly will be held in 2028 in Vietnam.
Highlights
Seoul Declaration Adopted
ICAPP's 13th General Assembly unanimously adopted the Seoul Declaration, rejecting unilateral actions and reaffirming state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and adherence to the UN Charter.
83 Asian Political Parties Participate
Representatives from 83 political parties across Asia, including Palestine, Iran, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, attended the summit in Seoul.
Launch of ICDPP Initiative
The assembly launched the Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties (ICDPP) to bridge ideological differences and prevent global fragmentation into competing blocs.
Background
The International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) is a platform for dialogue among political parties across Asia. Its 13th General Assembly was held in Seoul from November 4-6, 2026, jointly hosted by South Korea's governing Democratic Party and the opposition People Power Party. The meeting took place amid rising geopolitical tensions, including conflicts in Palestine and Iran, and growing unilateralism in international relations.
Key Analysis and Impact
The Seoul Declaration expresses 'great concern' over unilateral actions, intensifying geopolitical rivalry, and weakening international cooperation. It rejects the use or threat of force as instruments of diplomacy and calls for consistent respect for international law regardless of a nation's size or influence. The declaration also addresses challenges to democratic governance, climate change, and AI development, calling for human-centred oversight of AI and equitable climate finance for developing countries.
Significance of the ICDPP Launch
The launch of the Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties (ICDPP) is a notable initiative aimed at preventing the international community from fragmenting into competing blocs. This reflects ICAPP's ambition to expand its role beyond Asia and foster global dialogue among political parties to address ideological differences and promote peaceful coexistence.
Way Forward
ICAPP functions as a platform for political parties to influence their governments toward peaceful settlement of disputes, as highlighted by Chairperson Chung Eui-yong. The 14th ICAPP General Assembly is scheduled for 2028 in Vietnam. The success of the ICDPP initiative and the implementation of the Seoul Declaration's principles will depend on follow-up actions by member parties.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- UN Charter
- The foundational treaty of the United Nations, signed in 1945, which sets out the rights and obligations of member states and establishes the UN's principal organs and procedures. Key principles include sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, and prohibition of the threat or use of force.
- State Sovereignty
- The concept that a state has supreme authority within its territory and is independent from external interference. It is a fundamental principle of international law and the UN Charter.
- Territorial Integrity
- The principle under international law that a state's territory is inviolable and cannot be forcibly altered by another state. It is closely linked to sovereignty and non-interference.
- Unilateral Actions
- Actions taken by one state without the consent or cooperation of other states, often in disregard of multilateral frameworks or international law.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: 13th General Assembly of ICAPP, Seoul, November 4-6, 2026
- Data: 83 political parties participated
- Document: Seoul Declaration
- Initiative: Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties (ICDPP)
- Data: 14th ICAPP General Assembly in Vietnam, 2028
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may ask about the 'Seoul Declaration' and confuse it with other declarations named after Seoul, or ask about ICAPP's full form and confuse it with other international party forums. They may also swap the number of participating parties (83) with a different number.
Write these in mains answers
- Multilateralism, UN Charter principles, Political party diplomacy, Non-interference, Geopolitical rivalry
Stuck? Get it in one tap
ICAPP is a platform where political parties from Asian countries meet to discuss issues. At its 13th meeting in Seoul, 83 parties adopted the Seoul Declaration, which says countries should not act alone (unilaterally) or use force against each other. They agreed to follow the UN Charter and keep talking to each other. They also started a new initiative called ICDPP to prevent the world from splitting into rival groups.
- ICAPP stands for International Conference of Asian Political Parties.
- The 13th General Assembly of ICAPP was held in Seoul, South Korea.
- The assembly was held from November 4 to 6, 2026.
- 83 political parties from across Asia participated in the assembly.
- The Seoul Declaration rejects unilateral actions and reaffirms state sovereignty.
- International Relations: Regional organizations and groupings
- Governance: International institutions and diplomacy
Related concepts: UN Charter, State Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity, Unilateral Actions
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which international organization's principles are at the centre of the Seoul Declaration adopted by ICAPP?
Explanation: The Seoul Declaration calls for strict adherence to the principles of the UN Charter. The UN Charter is the foundational treaty of the United Nations, and its principles include sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, and prohibition of the threat or use of force. The WTO, IMF, and World Bank are other international organizations but are not the focus of this declaration.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the 13th General Assembly of ICAPP:
- 1.The assembly adopted the Seoul Declaration which rejects unilateral actions and reaffirms state sovereignty.
- 2.The assembly was held in Hanoi, Vietnam with participation from 83 political parties.
- 3.The assembly launched the Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties (ICDPP) initiative.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the Seoul Declaration rejects unilateral actions and reaffirms state sovereignty and territorial integrity. Statement 2 is incorrect because the assembly was held in Seoul, South Korea, not Hanoi, Vietnam. Statement 3 is correct: the assembly welcomed the launch of the ICDPP initiative. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
How many political parties participated in the 13th General Assembly of ICAPP held in Seoul?
Explanation: The 13th General Assembly of ICAPP, held in Seoul from November 4 to 6, 2026, saw participation from representatives of 83 political parties from across Asia.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary purpose of the Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties (ICDPP) launched at the ICAPP General Assembly?
Explanation: The ICDPP is an initiative aimed at bridging ideological differences and preventing the international community from fragmenting into competing blocs. It is a platform for dialogue among political parties across continents. The other options describe trade, military, or monetary objectives, which are not the purpose of ICDPP.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the full form of ICAPP?
ICAPP stands for International Conference of Asian Political Parties.
2. Where and when was the 13th General Assembly of ICAPP held?
The 13th General Assembly of ICAPP was held in Seoul, South Korea, from November 4 to 6, 2026.
3. What is the Seoul Declaration?
The Seoul Declaration is a document adopted at the 13th ICAPP General Assembly that rejects unilateral actions, reaffirms state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and calls for strict adherence to the UN Charter.
4. Where will the 14th ICAPP General Assembly be held?
The 14th ICAPP General Assembly will be held in Vietnam in 2028.
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- Original6 November 2026 · Read story
