Friendship with all and enmity with none

Politics, the bedrock of our society, is a testament to humanity's profound achievements. Through political parties, we find a platform to unite our collective efforts, reconcile differing ideas and opinions, and forge a common ground that embraces us all. Politics and political parties grant us the precious gift of self-determination, bestowing upon us inalienable human rights and fundamental freedoms.

They are the cornerstones of our sovereignty and independence, the driving force behind human flourishing, and the architects of a better life for all. Through these, we shape our dreams of justice, fairness, and equal opportunity. The yearning for prosperity unites every human society. In the annals of history, thriving nations owe their success to visionary politics, courageous leaders, and the indomitable spirit of their people. The world teems with shining examples of political parties and leaders who ventured into the unknown, making sacrifices and taking unimaginable risks to propel their nations towards progress and affluence. Political parties worldwide should take pride in these endeavors.

Our societies evolve, adapt, and thrive. With eight billion souls spread across seven continents and nearly 200 countries, we are all working tirelessly to advance our human civilization. Our struggles for independence, freedom, and equality have led to diverse governance and democratic practices across Asia, the Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and Africa. Our political systems have cultivated unique approaches to promote the common good and propel progress in various facets of human life.

Scientific and technological advancements fuel economic growth, while increased agricultural productivity and food security, healthcare, and education foster individual growth. Modern infrastructure and communication technology underpin our way of life, and literature, art, music, and sports continue to flourish. Our contemporary political principles of tolerance and equality enable religion, culture, values, and traditions to guide our collective existence.

In our ever-changing world, we are guided by two contrasting forces: the innovators and the preservers. Innovators strive for radical change, disrupting existing societies in pursuit of transformation. Preservers, on the other hand, advocate for the status quo, valuing stability over change. The interplay of these forces can lead to discord and destruction, impeding human progress. History teaches us that these forces must work in harmony and rational balance to advance our societies. Political parties and their leaders should heed this historical lesson. 

When politics and political parties succumb to narrow-mindedness, humanity bears the brunt of suffering. Our achievements, efforts, ideas, and faith should not blind us to the worth of others. Intolerance breeds injustice, conflict, and hardship for all. Politics and political parties should avoid these pitfalls, focusing on creating a world that upholds the common good above all.

Resilient politics, political parties, and political systems invigorate a nation. They give rise to effective constitutions, stable institutions, the rule of law, service delivery, and human empowerment. A state that ensures human rights and fundamental freedoms, justice, equality, and protection earns the trust and faith of its citizens. A prosperous state provides political stability, economic growth, internal harmony, and external security.

Political parties, born of the people’s desire to escape autocracy and embrace self-rule, should place the nation and its people above the government. Let us emphasize the need for political parties to contribute to building an effective, vibrant nation that safeguards long-term national interests rather than focusing solely on wielding executive power.

Political parties should continually ask: Are the state’s opportunities, rights, and resources accessible to all? Is the fruit of human progress equitably distributed? Is citizen participation in the political process guaranteed? Is anyone subjected to deprivation, discrimination, inequality, or injustice? Can everyone engage in fair, transparent, and rules-based entrepreneurial activities? Injustice and mistreatment by governments not only delegitimize political systems but also breed instability and conflict, both domestically and internationally.

Political parties play a vital role in promoting coexistence, tolerance, harmony, and cooperation to ensure equality, justice, and respect for all. Religion, faith, culture, tradition, ideas, and values form the bedrock of our identities, dignity, and sovereign rights. They can also unite our nations in acceptance and coexistence. Political parties have a pivotal role in weaving these elements into the fabric of harmonious societies.

In our interconnected world, marked by rapid scientific and technological progress and economic interdependence, we must be mindful of the opportunities and challenges that lie before us. Climate change, health catastrophes, and conflicts are the paramount challenges of our time. Political parties bear the responsibility of recognizing and addressing these challenges, equipping themselves with the expertise needed to lead our societies to a shared, prosperous future. 

In this context, Asian political parties hold a particularly significant role. Asia, the world’s largest continent and home to the most populous nations, shares a history of millennia-old civilizations with Europe, nurturing some of humanity's most enlightened concepts and ideologies. Across the centuries, Asia has been a wellspring of knowledge, education, and progress. 

From 1 AD to 1820 AD, India and China collectively accounted for over 50 percent of the global economic output. Fast forward to 2023, and once again, the world's economic center is gravitating towards Asia, boasting three of the world's five largest economies. This vast continent is also characterized by its rich ecological diversity, highlighted by the Himalayas in Nepal, a pivotal freshwater source crucial to the planet's well-being.

In our roles as Asian political parties, let us cast our eyes toward a future where Asia takes center stage in global economic affairs. With hearts brimming with determination, let us set our sights on spearheading solutions to our world's most pressing challenges. Let us aspire to be the primary architects of knowledge and artistry across the globe. 

Together, let us shape the very culture and narrative that defines our world. We shall blaze a trail towards shared prosperity, nurturing the limitless potential and creativity of humanity, while cherishing and safeguarding our precious natural heritage. Our collective dream is to leave a world where our children not only survive but flourish. As Asia sets its course to lead humanity towards progress and excellence, let us be the beacons of inspired leadership, both within our societies and beyond. Together, we’ll paint a brighter, more harmonious future for all.

In Nepal, our party, CPN-UML, strives to fulfill our people’s aspirations for prosperity and happiness through Comprehensive Democracy. We aim to build a vibrant, fast-growing economy, foster entrepreneurship, ensure social security, enhance infrastructure, and safeguard our environment.

The principles of sovereign equality, mutual benefit, justice, and fairness guide our foreign policy. We believe in Friendship with All and Enmity with None, and we are eager to collaborate with bilateral, regional, and multilateral partners in areas of shared interest and mutual benefit.

The author is Chairperson of CPN-UML