Kathmandu, February 9:

Around four-dozen political leaders from socialist-democratic parties from different countries of the Asia-Pacific region are meeting tomorrow in the capital. The participant leaders will come up with new policies for the Socialist International (SI).

The SI is an international organisation which has 161 country as members.

Luis Ayala, the secretary general of SI, said today that the leaders from the region, with all exciting experiences from the political changes in their respective countries will sit together for the formation of new guidelines in the context of changing political scenario in the Asia-Pacific Conference of the SI.

“This region particularly has witnessed a lot of political changes in the last decade. I’m sure the world leaders of socialist ideology will have lots of things to learn from the leaders of the Asia Pacific region,” he said. Ayala said that the conference will concentrate on the common principles and values of democracy — justice, freedom and inclusion.

He said that the world leaders are pleased to convene in Nepal, as Nepal has appeared in world headlines as an exemplary fighter for democracy and peace. “I congratulate

you Nepalis for your victory for peace and democracy,” he said.

Ram Chandra Paudel, general-secretary of the Nepali Congress, the host of the conference, said leaders of all major political parties of Nepal, including the CPN-Maoist, will participate in the programme, which will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.