Report of the ICAPP Observers to BRICS and Partner Countries Forum (Vladivostok, Russia during June 16-19, 2024)

The following members of the ICAPP Standing Committee were invited to participate in the “International Inter-Party BRICS and Partner Countries Forum” (hereinafter referred to the “Forum”) which was hosted by the BRICS Presidency of the Russian Federation and the United Russia Party in Vladivostok, Russia during June 16-19, 2024.

-         Hon. Chung Eui-yong, Chairman of the ICAPP Standing Committee

-         Hon. Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Co-Chairman and Special Rapporteur of the ICAPP Standing Committee

-         Hon. Suos Yara, Vice Chairman of the ICAPP Standing Committee

-         Hon. Dr. Nalinee Taveesin, Member of the ICAPP Standing Committee and Co-Chairperson of the ICAPP Business Council

The Forum was participated by representatives of political parties of 28 countries from Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Africa.

Each participant from the ICAPP delivered their speeches as follows:

-         Hon. Chung Eui-yong and Hon. Suos Yara at the Plenary Session on the topic of “BRICS and partner countries as an efficient mechanism for developing ties.” (Remarks by Hon. Chung Eui-yong is attached as Appendix)

-         Hon. Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Hon. Dr. Nalinee Taveesin at the Round Table 1 on the topic of “Invisible and equal security as key principles for building genuine and lasting international peace.”

On June 17, the opening ceremony was attended by H.E. Dmitry Medvedev, Chairman of the United Russia Party and former President of the Russian Federation. During June 17-18, there were two other Round Table sessions, Number 2 on the topic of “Strengthening economic and financial ties between countries of the World Majority for building a just world order,” and Number 3 on the topic of “Responsible behavior in the information space for building a just world order amid widespread digitalization.” And a separate dialogue was held between the representatives of the United Russia Party and representatives of political parties from ASEAN member countries, which was chaired by H.E. Dmitry Medvedev. A gala dinner was also hosted by H.E. Dmitry Medvedevin the evening of June 17. No document or statement was adopted as the result of the Forum.

Hon. Andrey Klimov hosted a separate dinner for Chairman Chung Eui-yong and Co-Chairman Mushahid Hussain Sayed on June 16.

On the sidelines of the Forum, Chairman Chung had separate meetings or pull-asides with representatives of the following political parties and exchanged views on future cooperation between the ICAPP and their respective parties.

-         Hon. Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China

-         Hon. Andrey Klimov, Member of the Bureau of the Supreme Council of the United Russia Party

-         Hon. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Leader of Pheu Thai Party, Thailand

-         Hon. Khin Yi, Chairman of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, Myanmar

-         Hon. Thonsavanh Phomvihane, Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of the Central committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, Laos

-         Hon. Abdujabbor Abduqahhor Azizi, First Deputy Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan

-         Hon. Ms. Oppah Muchinguri, National Chairperson of the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), and Minister of Defense, Republic of Zimbabwe

-         Hon. Lindiwe Zulu, Member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC) and Minister for Social Development, and Hon. Kopeng Obed Bapela, Deputy Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Relations of the National Executive Committee of the ANC, Republic of South Africa,

-         Hon. Emilio Lozada Garcia, Head of International Relations Department of the Central Committee of Communist Party of Cuba

In this regard, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) acknowledged with gratitude the decision of the ICAPP Standing Committee to invite the LPRP as a new member of the Standing Committee, and confirmed its willingness to accept the invitation.

It was also found that the following six political parties in southern Africa has its own coalition, called “Liberation Movement,” which holds its general meeting once a year. The last presidency of the Liberation Movement was held by Zimbabwe, and the current presidency by South Africa, and they are planning to have the annual meeting in South Africa toward the end of 2024. They were willing to invite ICAPP observers to their meeting. They also expressed keen interest in forming an organization of African political parties in cooperation with the ICAPP. The representatives of ANC of South Africa and ZANU-PF Zimbabwe expressed its willingness to cooperate with the ICAPP in establishing an organization of African political parties and restarting regular dialogue with the ICAPP and the COPPPAL

-         MPLA (People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola) in Angola

-         Frelimo (Democratic Socialist Party) in Mozambique

-         SWAPO (South West Africa People’s Organization) in Namibia

-         ANC (African National congress) in South Africa

-         CCM (Chama Cha Mapinduzi: Party of the Revolution) in Tanzania

-         ZANU-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union – patriotic Front) in Zimbabwe