Communiqué of the Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting of the WPC
Kathmandu, 26th July, 2023

1. The Asian Pacific consultative meeting of the World Peace Council was held in Kathmandu, Nepal on 26th July, hosted by the Nepal Peace and Solidarity Council (NPSC). Delegations from Bangladesh, DPR of Korea, India, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam attended this meeting, along with Pallab Sengupta, President and Iraklis Tsavdaridis, Executive Secretary of World Peace Council.

2. After the 22nd Assembly of WPC held in Vietnam last year November, this was the first meeting of the member organizations of WPC from Asia-Pacific region. This meeting was aiming at to review the political developments in this region, role of its member organisations, and to enhance their political and organismal capacity by mobilizing with likeminded organisations for joint effort to achieve Peace and Stability in this region.
3. The participants of the meeting expressed their concern on the ongoing NATO-Russia War in Ukrainian soil and the huge mobilization of western weapons in Ukraine for their counter offensive. The war is moving towards a dangerous turn with the decision of the US administration to supply cluster bombs and other sophisticated weapons to Ukraine. There is every possibility to have direct military involvement of NATO which will have disastrous consequences on the whole world and Peace.
Unfortunately, no serious initiative has been taken at international level to end the war.
4. Participants at the meeting expressed their concern about the such as NATO-Russia War in Ukrainian soil, China’s role in South China Sea as pretext, the role of Japan coming out of its pacifist constitution and once again arming itself as done during WWII. It is also working towards building an ASIAN NATO by offering to establish NATO office in Japan which is supported by Australia, New Zeeland, and Republic of Korea. At the same time serious concern was expressed about initiatives for the creation of different of blocs and alliances like AUKUS and QUAD, the growing tensions in the Taiwan straits, the territorial disputes, militarization and the imposition of unilateral actions in the South China Sea, the situation of the Korean Peninsula, the continuation of Military Junta in Myanmar, the growing militarization of Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the border dispute between China-India and among the countries in South Asia, the increase of the threats of terrorism after Taliban came to power in Afghanistan. The subversive activities of religious fanatics on the border adjoining Afghanistan have created hell for the innocent people residing on this part of Pakistan. The US-imperialists and NATO left Afghanistan but the extremists are still alive and challenge peace and stability not only of Pakistan but the entire region. These are the most negative and concerned developments.

5. Participants believe that the absence of mutual trust and friendly relations among the countries has provided the political space once again to the imperialist forces to jeopardize the peace and stability of this region.

6. The meeting firmly express its opinion that while deepening its commitment for building friendship with all countries-big or small- from different regions and enhance multilateralism for constructive dialogue and negotiations for finding existing solutions to problems of any nature, Asia-Pacific region must not allow to be used as a pawn in the hands of the imperialist powers, rather all countries in this region should work together to evolve a policy of mutual cooperation aiming at to find solution by respecting territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of others and to work for the development of economic, cultural, scientific and other forms of cooperation among the countries in Asia-Pacific region and also with other regions on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

7. In this political context, the meeting recognizes that the challenges before the peace and solidarity movement are immense in order to achieve peace and stability in this region. The strength and capacity of the members of the WPC in this region is not enough. The situation demands broad based strong peace and solidarity movement based on the principles of Peace, Democracy, Freedom, respect to the rule of law and anti-imperialist solidarity.

8. The meeting took note of increased activities of the member organisations on the issues of peace, the demands of immediate end of the war in Ukraine, against NATO and the activities related to the solidarity with the people of Palestine, Cuba, Myanmar etc.

9. After fruitful discussions the meeting decided concluded:

A. To support the demands of the WPC for the complete abolition of all nuclear weapons and the right of each nation for the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

B. To support the Palestinian people in their struggle for an independent state within the borders of 1967 and with East Jerusalem as its capital and to support the unity of Palestinian people and its territories.

C. To strengthen the solidarity movement with the people of Cuba and their Revolution in their struggle against the US Blockade and their sovereign right to choose their own path of socialist development.

D. To support the struggles of the people of Myanmar for the restoration of democracy and for the release of all political prisoners.

E. To support Bangladesh’ demand for immediate repatriation of Rohingya Refugees with full safety of life and citizen Rights.

F. To support the demands for “East Asia to be nuclear free zone” and “Indian Ocean to be Zone of Peace”

G. To support the peaceful resolution of the situation in the South China Sea based on UN Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

H. To express support and solidarity with the People of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos and demands the appropriate compensation and measures to end the consequences for the problems of Unexploded Ordnance and Agent Orange, by those who have created it.

10. To achieve the above objectives, the meeting resolves to form a broad based All Asian Peace & Solidarity Network in proper consultations with member organizations of WPC, other likeminded peace and solidarity organizations and groups from this region.

11. The meeting further resolve to organize an Asian Peace conference with much broader participation of political parties, social organisations, students, youth, trade union, farmer, and women organisations in next 2024 in India to build Asia Pacific region a region of peace, stability, democracy, human rights, justice, equality, and developments as well as get rid of foreign military bases, occupation, terrorism, religious fundamentalism, and weapons of mass destructions of all kinds.

12. The meeting has decided the future tasks as following:

A. To observe 2nd October Mahatma Ghandhi’s as “Peace and social harmony day” throughout the region.

B. To prepare for the next Executive Meeting of WPC to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, tentatively in November 2023

C. To organize a regional tour of Palestinian representatives for strengthening solidarity movement with the people of Palestine for their just struggle.

D. To study the possibilities of holding SAARC Peace Festival in Kathmandu in cooperation with SAARC Secretariat.

E. To elaborate plans to celebrate 75th anniversary foundation of World Peace Council in every country of the region in 2024.

13. The meeting expresses its sincere gratitude to the Nepal Peace and Solidarity Council for hosting the WPC Asia-Pacific regional meeting and hospitality they have extended to all participants.