The Worldwide Convention of Asian Political Events (ICAPP) met this yr within the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh underneath the theme “A Seek for Peace and Reconciliation,” as soon as once more bringing collectively main politicians, members of the press and extra.
The ruling Justice and Growth Occasion (AK Occasion) was the one social gathering from Türkiye to take part with a delegation led by its Overseas Affairs Chairman Zafer Sırakaya, who attended the biennial Common Meeting. I additionally accompanied the Turkish delegation to the convention final weekend and took half within the ICAPP media discussion board.
The Common Meeting drew consideration to the rising setting of battle world wide and the necessity for political events to work collectively to attain and keep peace. Along with events from Asia, representatives from Africa, Europe and America additionally took half within the convention. ICAPP, which was based within the Philippines in 2000 to advertise exchanges and cooperation between political events, arrange its secretariat within the South Korean capital Seoul. The platform can be essential in that it hosts not solely authorities events, but in addition competing authorities, opposition and unbiased political events.
The convention is critical for Ankara because it represents one other platform to diversify Turkish international coverage. Lately, Türkiye has tried to be current in as many international and regional golf equipment and platforms as attainable and has been energetic in all kinds of committees from NATO to the UN, from BRICS to the Shanghai Cooperation Council.
“The AK Occasion views ICAPP as an vital discussion board devoted to selling peace, safety and stability throughout Asia. Because of this, we’ve got all the time been an energetic supporter and participant in his initiatives,” Sırakaya emphasised.
Türkiye hosted the 11th Common Meeting in Istanbul in 2022, which was attended by greater than 70 political events from 35 international locations and representatives of varied worldwide organizations.
ICAPP addressed numerous points, together with political, cultural and enterprise relations of member international locations, and likewise held a particular convention on “Migration and Refugees” in Istanbul in 2016.
Vote for Gaza
The 12th ICAPP Common Meeting in Cambodia additionally served as one other platform the place Türkiye drew consideration to the continued battle in Gaza.
Sırakaya acknowledged that Türkiye's high precedence stays the institution of a direct and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, including: “We admire and carefully monitor the help of Asian international locations for the Palestinian individuals's wrestle for the appropriate to exist.” In the meantime, 146 out of 193 have UN member states acknowledged the State of Palestine, which corresponds to 75% of all member states. After we take a look at the taking part States of the 12th Common Meeting, it’s noteworthy that 27 out of 31 international locations acknowledged the State of Palestine at numerous instances.”
After the primary day of the assembly, a girl of Australian descent who labored as an advisor within the Cambodian authorities approached me. She thanked me for the Turkish delegation elevating the problem of Gaza and mentioned: “I used to be ready for somebody to lastly handle the occasions in Gaza of their speeches, and it was Türkiye who talked about it for the primary time, and I used to be relieved.” ”
The truth is, Ankara is making efforts on the worldwide stage and likewise led a contact group that visited a number of capitals world wide to discover a answer to the Palestinian difficulty and urge international locations to push for a ceasefire because the civilian loss of life toll will increase each day within the Gaza Strip.
TRNC illustration
One other vital improvement of ICAPP 2024 was the participation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) within the convention with two parliamentarians from the Nationwide Unity Occasion (UBP). Because the worldwide embargo and isolation of the TRNC proceed because of the biased angle of the worldwide group on the Cyprus difficulty, Ankara calls on states on all platforms to acknowledge the Turkish Cypriot state and grant it equal sovereign standing. Due to the efforts, the TRNC has just lately began taking part in our bodies such because the Group of Turkish States (OTS).
The 2 MPs – Ahmet Savaşan and Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu – praised the help of Türkiye and Sırakaya, which enabled the TRNC to take part on this platform and take its place.
After I spoke to me on the ICAPP media discussion board about disinformation within the digital age and its impression on peace, the TRNC delegation talked about that the Greek Cypriots used disinformation as a technique throughout Türkiye's navy intervention on the island in 1974 to stage a coup and to cease widespread violence in opposition to Turkish Cypriots. Due to disinformation, Greek Cypriots' view of occasions continues to form international opinion right now and forestall decision, they added.
The 12th ICAPP Common Meeting as soon as once more enabled politicians from all continents to return collectively and strengthen their cooperation and dialogue in instances of renewed uncertainty, battle and local weather challenges. As a part of Türkiye's Asia-Anew opening technique, it turned one other platform to diversify allies, keep worldwide stress for peace in Gaza and advance Turkish Cyprus's pursuits.
