We have written on this subject before. In quieter times, and in moments of cautious global optimism, we reflected on the power of dialogue to prevent conflict and build understanding across borders. We return to it now, compelled to rewrite this column in view of the grave and overlapping crises that confront our world today.

The language of force has again become commonplace. In such times, dialogue can seem fragile, even naive. Yet for those of us who have devoted our lives to political engagement across cultures and continents, dialogue remains a necessity and our most reliable instrument for peace.

It was in this spirit that we at the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), now numbering some 352 member-parties across the region, joined hands with our counterparts in Europe — the European People’s Party (EPP), the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), and the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE) — to establish the Asia Europe Political Forum (AEPF) in Seoul in July 2017.

At the time, the global atmosphere, though imperfect, was marked by cautious hope. Few could have anticipated how swiftly the world would descend into a more dangerous phase. Today, war has returned to Europe with devastating consequences. Tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait continue to test regional stability. Asia finds itself navigating an increasingly complex strategic environment, while Europe confronts the realities of prolonged conflict, energy insecurity, and political polarization.

It is against this sobering backdrop that the 6th Asia Europe Political Forum convened in Budapest last November under the theme “Peace and Democracy in Eurasia.” The gathering was not a ceremonial exercise. It was a recognition that the stakes could not be higher.

Our earlier AEPF meetings in Seoul, London, Colombo, Prague, and Kathmandu were infused with optimism. We discussed climate change, terrorism, economic development, and the promises and perils of globalization. Today, the conversations are necessarily more urgent. Full-scale war, proxy conflicts, cyber threats, and strategic rivalries now define the international landscape. The challenge before us is no longer abstract. It is immediate and consequential.

The purpose of the Budapest meeting was clear: to understand the rapidly shifting security and political dynamics across Eurasia and to explore concrete ways in which political parties can contribute to rebuilding trust and stability. Governments and diplomats may negotiate ceasefires and treaties, but political parties — deeply rooted in the aspirations and anxieties of ordinary citizens — play a critical role in shaping the long-term conditions for peace.

When we launched the AEPF, we emphasized the diversity of political traditions represented — conservatives and reformists, progressives and pragmatists, advocates of rapid change and defenders of gradual evolution. History teaches us that political differences have too often led to civil wars and international conflicts. Our conviction then, which remains unshaken today, is that the ability to disagree without demonizing one another is among the most powerful tools available to humanity.

Our differences are not obstacles. They are precisely why dialogue is indispensable. They compel us to listen more carefully, to understand more deeply, and to search for common ground where it matters most.

At the heart of the Asia Europe Political Forum is a simple but enduring idea: building bridges across continents. Bridges that span East and West, North and South. Bridges that cross political, cultural, and historical divides. Bridges that allow us to exchange experiences, temper mistrust, and mobilize collective action in the face of shared threats.

We carry forward the same belief that sustained dialogue can diffuse tensions, prevent conflicts, and eventually lead us toward peace. In an age defined by war, uncertainty, and geopolitical rivalry, this belief is not merely relevant. It is essential.