We gather here to discuss common approaches to strengthen the roles of political parties in enhancing economic development through democratic governance, in finding conflict resolutions and in ensuring that social justice and human dignity be made available to the people. Political parties are the heart of democracy and development. Therefore, the security and progress of political parties in the region should be set at the foremost agenda.

I view this conference as a timely and an auspicious occasion for Asian political parties to engage in meaningful dialogue and to strengthen our mutual collaboration. I also view this conference as a promising venue for future development into an important institution of political party.

We admit that public participation is the key factor to success not only in the general election but throughout the process of governing the nation.

We strongly confirm that party’s commitment and responsibility to policies launched during an election campaign have to be put into implementation.

We insist that party’s campaign policies should be launched with respect to other party’s policy.

We trust that the faith to the political party can be derived by strengthening the political party as well as by empowering the people.

We are certain that acting as a political institution, whether a government or an opposition have no distinct in contribution to the society if we are working on the basis of sacrifice, devotion, and responsibility.

Last but not least, to increase accountability to the political party, nothing is more important than working on the basis of openness and transparency.

We are aware of the fact that during the last two decades globalization and information revolution have always been the important framework for all kinds of dialogue and discussion. We have long realized that these inevitable world conditions have led to the transformation of world’s economic, social, and political structure. New world’s economic and social order have been formulated and controlled mainly by the powerful countries and regions. Therefore, Asian cooperation is considered to be an urgent instrument for us to bargain and survive in this new world order. Asian political parties, playing a vital and key institution in country’s empowerment, must therefore ensure continual exchange, cooperation, and development as being set here as the main theme of this conference. Asian Political Parties cooperation, here, I am talking about the cooperation on the basis of differences in religions, economic and social structure, races, politics, culture, national history, national philosophy, and so on. I am talking about cooperation based on sincerity among parties in finding solutions to national as well as common regional issues. I am also talking about cooperation for people’s interests not business or party’s interests. I am talking about cooperation for practical and effective outcomes not just participation regardless of consistent actions. My cooperation also aims at assuring that those in power are accountable for their actions. And more important, I am also talking about cooperation on the basis of compromising opinions of the majority with respect to the voice of the minority.

Terrorism, human rights, child abuse, human trafficking, domestic violence, are just some examples of the most burning problems facing the world today as the priorities. With the passage of time, these issues have not been solved but getting more sophisticated than what we could have ever imagined. HUMAN SECURITY should be placed at the political party’s top agenda. I believe that each citizen has his legitimate rights to live the secure life. This human security is defined as the state of being free from all fears ranging from fears due to violence, economic, social, health, environmental, and political causes. This human security paradigm is an integrated development dimension that could form a basis to conflict resolution and world peace at the end. However, my personal belief is that, even though we have mentioned and often debated how to reach the state of human security, we have concerned too little on the aspect of SPIRITUAL SECURITY. I believe that without taking this dimension into serious consideration, conflict management, achievement of world peace, as well as economic prosperity, as envisioned by all parties may remain only an illusion.

We stand readily and willingly to share our experiences with all of you in order to build more peaceful and hopeful future for Asia and Asian people. We believe that the conference will result in the concrete and mutual baseline and guidelines in strengthening Asian political parties for the benefits of our people and brighter future of Asian.