On October 16 and 17, the 44th Meeting of the ICAPP Standing Committee and the 4th Meeting of the ICAPP Asian Cultural Council (ACC) were held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Political parties from 16 countries—spanning Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East and Caucasus—participated, including 16 ruling parties and three opposition parties. Under the common theme, “From National Diversity to Global Solidarity: The Role of Culture in the New World Order,” participants delivered statements.  From Japan, Mr. Kenichi Suzuki, International Secretary of Party Diplomacy Promotion Headquarters of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan.

At the Standing Committee, Chair Chung Eui-yong (former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea) welcomed the CDP’s participation and expressed expectations for its active engagement going forward. Mr. Suzuki—Japan’s sole participant—expressed his gratitude for the invitation and, referring to the prime ministerial designation election to be held on the 21st, reported on the current political situation in Japan, including efforts to establish a centrist government led by the CDP.

At the subsequent Asian Cultural Council meeting, Mr. Tahir Budagov, Vice Chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party, noted the background to the theme, stating that at a time when geopolitical shifts are shaking the world order and humanitarian crises and religious and ethnic conflicts are occurring simultaneously, dialogue among people with different cultures is the key to safeguarding universal values and security.

Chair Chung also cited UNESCO’s principle that “culture is a pillar of sustainability for nations and societies,” emphasizing that culture supports social stability on the foundations of “belonging, dialogue, and shared purpose.” He added that countries should proactively incorporate cultural diversity into policy, education, and innovation as the basis for democracy, peace, and sustainable development.

Mr. Suzuki took the floor as the fifth speaker and delivered a speech on the theme, “A Culture of Coexistence as Seen in the Syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism.” His main points were as follows:

Since ancient times in Japan, Shinto—an indigenous belief system—and Buddhism, introduced in the 6th century, did not confront one another but instead fused, forming a culture of coexistence over more than a thousand years.

While modernization temporarily accelerated separation, he cited the recent example of Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Kofuku-ji Temple resuming joint rituals for the first time in 150 years, introducing it as a revival of a “culture of living together amid differences.”

Noting divisions in today’s international community, he stated, “There may be borders on the ground, but there are no borders in groundwater. The human heart is the same,” and stressed the importance of wisdom that transcends differences in religion and culture.

Finally, the “Baku Declaration” was adopted. In closing remarks, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed of the Pakistan Muslim League stated that political parties play an important role in building peace and cooperation in the new world order through intercultural dialogue.