23 Nations Political Parties Launch Dialogue Forum in Seoul

Political leaders representing 23 parties from 23 countries across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe met in Seoul in September 2026 to establish the Inter-Continental Dialogue among Political Parties (ICDPP). The new forum is designed to provide a platform for dialogue among political organizations with different ideologies and governing statuses.

The inaugural meeting concluded on September 7 with the unanimous adoption of the Seoul Declaration. The document describes the ICDPP as a “voluntary platform for consultation, cooperation, and confidence-building among political parties,” open to participants “irrespective of ideological orientation, governing status, or level of development.”

The declaration states that the forum is intended to complement existing regional and international organizations. According to the text, participants affirmed their commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, and multilateral cooperation. The document also referenced shared challenges, including armed conflicts, climate change, and economic uncertainty.

Attendees at the event included 19 governing parties and four opposition parties. Notable participants listed in attendance records were Chung Eui-yong, a former South Korean foreign minister and chair of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) Standing Committee; Mushahid Hussain Sayed of the Pakistan Muslim League; Adem Farah Ibrahim, Ethiopia’s deputy prime minister; Milton Morrison of the Dominican Republic’s País Posible party; and Zsolt Németh, a Hungarian parliamentarian.

In remarks made during the event, Chung Eui-yong explained the forum’s origins, stating it was developed from the framework of the ICAPP, which was founded in 2000. He said that after ICAPP established partnerships with political party conferences in Latin America, Europe, and Africa, he proposed the intercontinental meeting.

Chung, who was involved in drafting the ICAPP Charter, addressed the principle of including ideologically diverse groups. “Why should we be divided by ideological orientation? And why can’t we talk to each other?” he stated in an interview.

During a welcome dinner, Chung told delegates that the forum’s purpose was not to create ideological unity but to sustain communication. “Our political traditions, experiences, and perspectives are different,” he said, adding that these differences should be acknowledged and respected. He described the goal as creating a space for constructive discussion and keeping communication channels open, especially “when circumstances become difficult and dialogue is needed most.”

The Seoul Declaration outlines the next steps for the ICDPP, including plans for regular meetings, the development of institutional arrangements, and future work programs.