An international gathering in New Delhi has set out an ambitious framework aimed at closer cooperation across the Asia-Pacific, with a focus on health, climate, media, trade and cultural ties.
The conference, organised by the Association for Asia Pacific Union at the India International Centre on 21 February 2026, brought together diplomats, policymakers and cultural figures from across the region and beyond. The theme, “Sustainable development and Peace by unity among Asia Pacific countries with focus on media, art and culture, climate change and health,” framed the day’s discussions.
In his welcome address, AAPU President Mr JS Saluja said the organisation’s long-term vision was clear. “The Asia Pacific will unite and ‘we’ll have Asia Pacific Union, really like the European Union and the African Union.” He argued that cooperation in media, art, culture, climate change and health must form the basis of that effort, reflecting the core focus of the conference.
Dr Subhash Goyal, vice president of Foreign Affairs, set out the association’s broader aims and spoke of building a collaborative regional platform. The tone of the meeting was one of shared interest rather than bloc politics, with repeated references to development, public health and resilience.
Sandeep Marwah, Founder of Film City Noida, Chairman of Marwah Studio and Patron of AAPU, urged participants to approach the project with a moral outlook. “We would love to convert this earth into heaven; this is what I believe. I’m sure you will also believe in the same,” he said, calling on people to nurture good thinking and good deeds.
The chief guest, Meenakshi Lekhi, former Minister of State in the Government of India, described the idea of uniting the Asia-Pacific region as “fantastic”, while cautioning that it must be sustained by younger generations. She encouraged organisers to work with universities and schools of journalism to help carry the idea forward.
Ambassador Dr M. Saiful Haque offered a personal reflection on India’s role in the birth of Bangladesh and in supporting its development. He expressed gratitude for the assistance and sacrifice made by India, referring to trade, technology, climate cooperation and health security. He voiced hope that Bangladesh’s new government would continue to maintain strong and constructive ties with India, and said that as a former diplomat he stood ready to support AAPU’s efforts to strengthen future bilateral relations.
Other attendees included H.E. Ms Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka; Ambassador K. P. Fabian; Dr Sudhir Mishra of DRDO; Shri Manu Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh; and several senior academics and public figures, who shared remarks during the event.
The conference concluded with the adoption of “The New Delhi Proposal on Asia-Pacific Unity (2026): A Framework for Collective Action and Sustainable Prosperity”. The preamble states: “WE, the representatives of the Asia-Pacific nations, following the Asia-Pacific Union (AAPU) conference in Feb 2026 in New Delhi, recognise that our region, home to 60% of the global population, stands at a historic crossroads.”
The document argues that isolated responses to global crises are no longer sufficient and sets out five pillars of implementation.
Article I proposes a Health and Climate Resilience Network, including a “Green Health Corridor” to support the exchange of telemedicine technology and pandemic preparedness strategies, alongside a shared database for disaster response and climate mitigation aimed at protecting vulnerable coastal and rural communities.
Article II focuses on digital literacy and technical integration, with plans to standardise “Digital Literacy Certification” across borders and to encourage public and private partnerships to extend high-speed digital infrastructure to remote communities in the Global South.
Article III introduces the “Canopy Collective” as a platform for peaceful dispute resolution and shared maritime and border security intelligence, supported by quarterly diplomatic briefings hosted by an AAPU secretariat.
Article IV centres on shared prosperity and coercion-free trade, proposing a “Global South Trade Charter” to prioritise regional funding mechanisms and reduce reliance on high-interest external debt, alongside the creation of an AAPU Business Council to connect small and medium enterprises across borders.
Article V outlines a Cultural and Media Ethics Alliance to counter misinformation and promote “Unity Through Culture”, including a regional Media Ethics Forum and annual cultural exchanges to strengthen what the proposal calls the “human link” between nations.
The document recommends establishing a permanent AAPU Secretariat in New Delhi to monitor progress and act as a consultative body for participating governments.
Whether the proposals translate into formal intergovernmental structures will depend on sustained political backing across a diverse region. For those gathered in New Delhi, however, the emphasis was on setting out a shared direction and testing how far cooperation can move from aspiration to practice.
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