Asian Pacific Democrat Union

Asian Pacific Democrat Union is a regional organization of centre-right and conservative political parties in the Asia-Pacific region, founded in 1982 by Malcolm Fraser, Chiang Ching-kuo, and Nakasone Yasuhiro. The organization aims to promote democracy, free market economies, and human rights in the region, as advocated by Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan, and Helmut Kohl. The APDU is affiliated with the International Democrat Union (IDU), which was founded by Karlheinz Koppe and includes member parties such as the Republican Party (United States), Conservative Party (UK), and Christian Democratic Union of Germany.

● History

The Asian Pacific Democrat Union was established in 1982, with the founding meeting held in Sydney, Australia, attended by Robert Muldoon, Lee Kuan Yew, and Takeo Fukuda. The organization's early years were marked by the involvement of prominent leaders such as Mahathir Mohamad, Taro Nakayama, and Goh Chok Tong, who played a crucial role in shaping the APDU's agenda and policies, including the promotion of ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). The APDU has since grown to include member parties from over 20 countries in the region, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, with notable members such as Liberal Democratic Party (Japan), Saenuri Party, Kuomintang, and Democrat Party (Thailand). The organization has also engaged with other regional bodies, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the East Asia Summit, which have been attended by leaders like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Barack Obama.

● Organization

The Asian Pacific Democrat Union is governed by a council, which comprises representatives from each member party, including Australian Liberal Party, New Zealand National Party, and Indian National Congress. The council is responsible for setting the organization's policy and direction, with input from prominent thinkers like Francis Fukuyama, Niall Ferguson, and Joseph Nye. The APDU also has a secretariat, which is based in Tokyo and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, with support from institutions like the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. The organization's leadership has included notable figures such as John Howard, Junichiro Koizumi, and Abhisit Vejjajiva, who have worked closely with other regional leaders like Hun Sen, Lee Hsien Loong, and Joko Widodo.

● Member Parties

The Asian Pacific Democrat Union has a diverse range of member parties, including the Liberal Democratic Party (Japan), Saenuri Party of South Korea, Kuomintang of Taiwan, and the Democrat Party (Thailand). Other member parties include the Australian Liberal Party, New Zealand National Party, and the Indian National Congress, which have all been involved in regional initiatives like the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. The APDU also has associate member parties, such as the Singapore People's Action Party and the Malaysian Chinese Association, which have contributed to the organization's discussions on issues like trade liberalization and regional security, with input from experts like Robert Zoellick, Lawrence Summers, and Joseph Stiglitz. The organization's member parties have been influenced by the ideas of prominent thinkers like Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, and Ayn Rand, and have engaged with other regional organizations like the Asian Values debate and the Bali Democracy Forum.

● Activities and Programs

The Asian Pacific Democrat Union undertakes a range of activities and programs to promote democracy, free market economies, and human rights in the region, with support from institutions like the United Nations Development Programme and the Asian Foundation. The organization hosts regular meetings and conferences, which bring together leaders and representatives from member parties to discuss key issues and challenges, such as climate change, terrorism, and pandemics, with input from experts like Al Gore, Ban Ki-moon, and Bill Gates. The APDU also provides training and capacity-building programs for member parties, with a focus on issues like election campaign management and policy development, using resources from organizations like the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute. The organization has also launched initiatives to promote women's empowerment and youth participation in politics, with support from organizations like the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and the World Youth Alliance.

● International Cooperation

The Asian Pacific Democrat Union cooperates with other regional and international organizations to promote democracy and free market economies, including the International Democrat Union (IDU), the European People's Party (EPP), and the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists (AECR). The organization has also engaged with other regional bodies, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the East Asia Summit, to promote regional cooperation and stability, with input from leaders like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Barack Obama. The APDU has also participated in international initiatives like the Community of Democracies and the United Nations Democracy Fund, which aim to promote democracy and human rights globally, with support from organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy and the Open Society Foundations. The organization's international cooperation has been influenced by the ideas of prominent thinkers like Samuel Huntington, Francis Fukuyama, and Joseph Nye, and has contributed to regional initiatives like the ASEAN Economic Community and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Category:International organizations