Asadollah Asgharowladi, a member of Central Council of the Iranian conservative political party ‘Islamic Coalition Party’ (Motalefeh) made the remarks at the 29th Session of the Standing Committee of ICAPP in Tehran on Satuerday, adding that ICAPP members need committees to address the needs of the members and increase trade and travel between them.

Asgharowladi added that the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) needs to establish a secretariat in Tehran to cover the region and report to ICAPP every two month.

He asked the participants why there only should be a session a year and why the members should not get together twice a year.

He further highlighted that the ‘Islamic Coalition Party’ (Motalefeh), which is religious and conservative political party, needs to broaden its outreach as part of its religious worldview,” adding “we [Asian political parties] must forget about past and look forward to the future for the best things.”

Mohammad Nabi Habibi, Secretary-General of the Islamic Coalition Party, made the remark in a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador to Tehran, Nguyen Hung Tach, adding “we are ready to lend our support in good will to the settlement of the South China Sea dispute.”

China is involved in territorial disputes in the South China Sea with Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Habibi went on to add, “we have a lot in common with Vietnam on Asian policies, and are a member of ICAPP, therefore, in addition to the capacities of my party and our country, we will also try to use the capacity of ICAPP in resolving the South China Sea issue.”

The Vietnamese ambassador, for his part, hailed the good negotiations between the Iranian and Vietnamese delegations that took place on the sidelines of ICAPP.

He also stressed the need for a collective fight against terrorism in the region, underscoring the role of parties as a neutral mediator for reducing tensions and disputes.