Vice-Minister of the International Department Central Committee of CPC Ai Ping (C) and Asian political party leaders at the press conference on May 31, 2013. [Photo by Liu Xiaozhuo]

Leaders and representatives of 57 political parties from 33 countries in the Asia-Pacific region passed the Xi'an Initiative to promote the development of a green economy in Asia at the 2013 ICAPP Special Conference.

The Xi'an Initiative calls for greater attention to green development and enhanced efforts for ecological progress; transparency and inclusiveness in pursuing common development; closer international cooperation and a joint effort to build a "beautiful Asia"; and an active role for political parties and innovation in development modes.

Under the main theme of "promote green development and build a beautiful Asia together", political party leaders from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean discussed and exchanged views about how to keep sustainable development and promote a green economy at the 2013 ICAPP Special Conference hosted by the Communist Party of China in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, from May 30th to 31st, 2013.

Mushahid Hussain Sayed of the Pakistan Muslim League pointed out that economic development is affected by many serious issues nowadays. The old economic structure and development model has been enormously hit by the world financial crisis. The world economy has seen a very sluggish recovery.

Chung Eui-yong, Co-Chairman and Secretary General of ICAPP, said that Asia - with a large part of its population living in poverty - has particular difficulties in sustainable development. He said that environmental protection and resource preservation are closely related with development in a modern society. To achieve sustainable development, international cooperation is the only method among Asian countries which share common interests, as are geographically connected. He said the network for promoting a green economy has been established through the cooperation of political parties from different Asian countries to confront the challenges.

Ai Ping, Vice-Minister of the IDCPC of China, said at the ICAFF press conference that a consciousness aming the Asian community has been formed. "We can feel it very strongly and the faith will determine our future. The cooperation between Asian countries will push our development forward," he said.

Jose de Venecia, Chairman of ICAPP, talked to the press about the practice of planting a billion trees in Asia that will soon be launched to promote a green economy in Asia. "Planting trees has many benefits. It will protect the environment and provide jobs," he said.