History

The APPF was founded by the Hon Yasuhiro Nakasone, former Prime Minister of Japan.

Preparatory meetings

The first preparatory meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum was held in Singapore in August 1991. Parliamentarians from nine countries (Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United States of America) attended.

In December 1991 a second preparatory meeting was held in Canberra with representatives from the original nine countries joined by parliamentarians from the People's Republic of China, Mexico, the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and Brunei (with observer status).

This preparatory meeting established a steering committee chaired by the Hon Yasuhiro Nakasone, with members from Australia, Japan, Korea, Thailand (ASEAN representative) and the United States of America.

“Strong and close regional cooperation cannot be achieved overnight. It requires the continued efforts of everybody at various levels and for many years.”

Hon Yasuhiro Nakasone (1918 - 2019)

Inaugural meeting

The inaugural meeting of the APPF was in held in January 1993 in Tokyo, Japan, and comprised an initial 14 founding members and one observer. At this meeting the Forum adopted its founding charter, the Tokyo Declaration, which outlines the organisation’s objectives, guiding principles and structure. The Forum also adopted Rules of Procedure regarding the role of the President and Executive Committee.

Unification with the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Leaders’ Forum (APPLF)

Following discussions at the second Annual Meeting in January 1994 in the Philippines and at the Executive Committee meeting in November 1994 in Peru, the unification of the APPF and the APPLF was approved by the third Annual Meeting in 1995 in Mexico.

Meeting of Women Parliamentarians

The first Meeting of Women Parliamentarians was held in Canada in 2016 at the 24th Annual Meeting. In the joint communique, delegates supported the continuation of the meeting of women parliamentarians at each future annual meeting.

At the 25th Annual Meeting in Fiji, the Forum endorsed a resolution on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, and a separate proposal to amend the Rules of Procedure.

This was formalised at the 26th Annual Meeting in Vietnam, where the Forum adopted the Hanoi Declaration and amended Rules of Procedure. The documents stipulated that the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians will occur on each occasion of the APPF Annual Meeting.

The most recent Meeting of Women Parliamentarians was held at APPF29 in December 2021 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Chronology

Below is a chronology of key APPF meetings and events (adapted from the table on appf.org.pe, as prepared by the House of Councillors of the National Diet of Japan for the 20th Annual Meeting).

 

APPF29
13 – 15 Dec 2021
Seoul, Republic of Korea

29th Annual Meeting

  • 211 delegates from 22 member countries attended the meeting virtually due to COVID-19.
  • The Plenary agreed to abolish the roles of the Honorary President and President, transferring the responsibility of these roles to the Chair of the Annual Meeting, and to amend the composition of the Executive Committee to include the host of the previous Annual Meeting. The Rules of Procedure were updated to reflect these changes and to include gender-inclusive language.
  • Brunei Darussalam was granted full membership.
  • Thailand designated as host of APPF30 (2022).

APPF28
13 – 16 Jan 2020
Canberra, Australia

28th Annual Meeting

  • 350 delegates from 29 countries in attendance.
  • APPF Rules of Procedure amended in response to a proposal from Japan in relation to the role of the President, with additional changes to be considered and discussed at the next Annual Meeting.
  • Observers: Brunei Darussalam, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Niue, Palau, Tuvalu, Cook Islands


APPF27
14 – 17 Jan 2019
Siem Reap, Cambodia

27th Annual Meeting

  • 331 delegates from 21 countries in attendance.
  • The first official Meeting of Women Parliamentarians was held under the new Rules of Procedure.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF26
18 – 20 Jan 2018
Hanoi, Vietnam

26th Annual Meeting

  • 354 participants from 21 countries in attendance. A number of guests were also invited.
  • The Forum adopted the Ha Noi Declaration, which marks the 25th anniversary of the APPF and sets out the Forum’s goals to 2030.
  • The Forum adopted amended Rules of Procedure to include the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians as a standing agenda item at each Annual Meeting.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam
  • Guests: Morocco, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)


APPF25
15 – 19 Jan 2017
Natadola, Fiji

25th Annual Meeting

  • 266 participants (123 parliamentarians) from 20 countries in attendance.
  • Following the second Meeting of Women Parliamentarians, the Forum endorsed a proposal to include the meeting as an agenda item in all future Annual Meetings. A working group was formed to consider amendments to the Rules of Procedure.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF24
17 – 21 Jan 2016
Vancouver, Canada

24th Annual Meeting

  • 252 participants (113 parliamentarians) from 21 countries in attendance.
  • The first Meeting of Women Parliamentarians was held on 17 January, with over 40 delegates from 14 countries participating.
  • The Forum adopted the Vancouver Declaration (the vision for the Asia-Pacific region in the 21st century).
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF23
10 – 15 Jan 2015
Quito, Ecuador

23rd Annual Meeting

  • 187 delegates from 17 countries in attendance.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF22
12 – 16 Jan 2014
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

22nd Annual Meeting

  • 151 delegates from 22 countries in attendance.
  • Three countries and three organisations also attended as guests.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam
  • Guests: El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, The Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), The Forum of Presidents of Legislative Branches in Central America and the Caribbean (FOPREL) and the University of Colima, Mexico.


APPF21
27 – 31 Jan 2013
Vladivostok, Russia

21st Annual Meeting

  • 328 delegates from 24 countries in attendance.
  • Representatives from two countries and a number of inter-parliamentary organisations attended as guests.
  • The first meeting of young parliamentarians of the Asia-Pacific Region was held on 30 January 2013 and a statement released.
  • A roundtable discussion on prospects of further cooperation between the Asia-Pacific and Europe was held, and a statement released.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam
  • Guests: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, the United Nations, Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Eurasian Economic Community (IPA EurAsEC), Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC), Inter-parliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS), Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Shanghai cooperation organization (SCO) and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA).


APPF20
8 – 12 Jan 2012
Tokyo, Japan

20th Annual Meeting

  • 326 delegates from 21 countries in attendance.
  • Based on a report by Japan on APPF Reform, the Forum adopted the New Tokyo Declaration (reaffirmation of the APPF’s principles and an indication of future directions) and new Rules of Procedure.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF19
23 – 27 Jan 2011
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

19th Annual Meeting

  • 107 parliamentarians from 19 countries in attendance.
  • Following a report by Japan on the Review of Administration of the APPF, a resolution on the ‘Reform and Future of the APPF’ is adopted.
  • Observers: Brunei Darussalam, Kazakhstan


APPF18
17 – 21 Jan 2010
Singapore

18th Annual Meeting

  • 134 parliamentarians from 22 countries in attendance.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF17
11 – 15 Jan 2009
Vientiane, Laos

17th Annual Meeting

  • 128 parliamentarians from 23 countries in attendance.
  • The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) attends as a special guest.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF16
20 – 24 Jan 2008
Auckland, New Zealand

16th Annual Meeting

  • 146 parliamentarians from 30 countries in attendance.
  • A number of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) countries are invited to the Annual Meeting as observers.
  • Observers: Brunei Darussalam, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu


APPF15
21 – 25 Jan 2007
Moscow, Russia

15th Annual Meeting

  • 159 parliamentarians from 24 countries in attendance.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF14
15 – 19 Jan 2006
Jakarta, Indonesia

14th Annual Meeting

  • 117 parliamentarians from 23 countries in attendance.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF13
9 – 13 Jan 2005
Hanoi and Ha Long City, Vietnam

13th Annual Meeting

  • 120 parliamentarians from 23 countries in attendance.
  • Special session held to discuss earthquake and tsunami disasters.
  • Technological Working Group convened and provided a report to the Annual Meeting.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF12
11 – 14 Jan 2004
Beijing, China

12th Annual Meeting

  • 88 parliamentarians from 23 countries in attendance.
  • Mr Yasuhiro Nakasone resigns from the position of APPF President. The title of Honorary President of the APPF is conferred upon the Hon Yasuhiro Nakasone.
  • The Rules of Procedure are amended to establish the position of Honorary President and change the Presidency to a rotating role appointed by the host of the next annual meeting, rather than elected for three-year terms.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF11
12 – 15 Jan 2003
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

11th Annual Meeting

  • 101 parliamentarians from 25 countries in attendance.
  • 10-year anniversary of the conference.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF10
6 – 9 Jan 2002
Honolulu, United States of America

10th Annual Meeting

  • 101 parliamentarians from 25 countries in attendance.
  • Mr Yasuhiro Nakasone re-elected as President of APPF.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF9
15 – 18 Jan 2001
Valparaiso, Chile

9th Annual Meeting

  • 154 parliamentarians from 26 countries in attendance.
  • Valparaiso Declaration (Trans Pacific Regional Charter) adopted.
  • New members: Ecuador, Costa Rica (Total: 27)
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF8
9 – 13 Jan 2000
Canberra, Australia

8th Annual Meeting

  • 109 parliamentarians from 25 countries in attendance.
  • Meeting was broadcast online for the first time.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF7
11 – 14 Jan 1999
Lima, Peru

7th Annual Meeting

  • 84 parliamentarians from 23 countries in attendance.
  • A proposal on the membership and terms of office for the Executive Committee is approved.
  • Mr Yasuhiro Nakasone re-elected as President of the APPF.
  • New member: Colombia (Total: 25)
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF6
7 – 10 Jan 1998
Seoul, South Korea

6th Annual Meeting

  • 101 parliamentarians from 25 countries in attendance.
  • Approved the establishment and operation of the APPF Website by the Peruvian Parliament, and the formation of the Technology Working Committee to develop the Asia-Pacific Open Information Network (APOINT).
  • Observers: Brunei Darussalam, Colombia


Meeting of the Working Committee on drawing up the mechanism for parliamentary exchanges
15 – 16 Aug 1997
Cha-am, Thailand

Meeting of the Working Committee

  • Mechanism for parliamentary exchanges given the name APOINT 2001 and discussion starts on technical issues.


APPF5
7 – 10 Jan 1997
Vancouver, Canada

5th Annual Meeting

  • 92 parliamentarians from 22 countries in attendance.
  • Vancouver Declaration (New Vision of the Asia-Pacific Region in the 21st Century) adopted.
  • Working Committee on drawing up of the mechanism for parliamentary exchanges established.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF4
15 – 18 Jan 1996
Cha-am, Thailand

4th Annual Meeting

  • 114 parliamentarians from 24 countries in attendance.
  • Adopted a resolution on the implementation of a Legislative Exchange System, which was the origin of the Asia-Pacific Open Information Network Technology (APOINT) 2001 Operative Plan.
  • Working group established to draw up the New Vision of the Asia-Pacific Region in the 21st Century.
  • Rules of Procedure amended to increase the number of Executive Committee members from six to eight countries.
  • Mr Yasuhiro Nakasone re-elected as President of the APPF.
  • New member: Marshall Islands (24)
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF3
13 – 15 Jan 1995
Acapulco, Mexico

3rd Annual Meeting

  • 87 parliamentarians from 24 countries in attendance.
  • Unification with APPLF approved.
  • New members: Viet Nam, Cambodia, Chile, Fiji, Lao PDR, Malaysia (Total: 23)
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


Executive Committee Meeting
21 – 23 Nov 1994
Lima, Peru

Executive Committee Meeting

  • Unification with Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Leaders’ Forum (APPLF)
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF2
14 – 15 Jan 1994
Manila, Philippines

2nd Annual Meeting

  • Parliamentarians from 18 countries in attendance.
  • APPF Rules of Procedure adopted.
  • New members: Mongolia, Peru, Russian Federation (Total: 17)
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


APPF1
13 – 15 Jan 1993
Tokyo, Japan

1st Annual Meeting

  • 58 parliamentarians from 15 countries in attendance.
  • Tokyo Declaration adopted.
  • Steering (preparatory) committee becomes the Executive Committee.
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


Preparatory Meeting (2)
10 – 11 Dec 1991
Canberra, Australia

2nd Preparatory Meeting

  • Preparatory Committee commissioned to decide the date of the inaugural meeting and takes charge of making recommendations to the general meeting regarding matters such as membership, secretariat, relations with other organisations, etc.
  • New members: China, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand (Total: 14)
  • Observer: Brunei Darussalam


Preparatory Meeting (1)
26 Aug 1991
Singapore

1st Preparatory Meeting

  • Establishment of APPF agreed.
  • Preparatory Committee established.
  • Mr Yasuhiro Nakasone, former Prime Minister of Japan, elected chair of the committee.
  • Members: Japan, Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Korea, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, United States of America (Total: 9)

Promoting regional cohesion, understanding and cooperation