I. Brief Introduction of the APPU

PURPOSE

“Peace, stability and prosperity are the greatest desires of the Asian people, yet there is tension and strife in Asia and many are suffering from poverty and disease. In the light of this situation, the Asian Parliamentarians’ Union (APU) aims at achieving and preserving freedom and democracy, thereby securing peace and prosperity in Asia. The APU is the union composed of national groups of parliamentarians who agree with this aim.”
This quoted remark is an epitome of the purpose of the APU established in 1965. Since 1975 onwards, however, close relations between the APU member nations and the Pacific Island nations have rapidly developed, so the 16th General Assembly held in Taipei of the Republic of China decided to amend the Charter to change the name of the APU to the Asian-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union (APPU) and to provide for associate membership in order to widen its scope and to strengthen solidarity and the force of freedom in the Asian-Pacific region.