From 10th to 15th September 2012, a delegation from Hanns Seidel Foundation/Germany (HSF) travelled to Myanmar for political talks with key leaders of political parties, high-ranking members of government and civil society. The HSF representatives were invited by the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) to join the Special Mission of its Standing Committee on a visit to Myanmar at the invitation of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) of Myanmar. The ICAPP Mission had meetings with leaders of the USPD, including H.E. Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann, H.E. Secretary General U Htay Oo and members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate H.E. Aung San Suu Kyi. She assured the delegates that the country was continuing to experience democratic change since the last visit to Myanmar of the Chairman of Hanns Seidel Foundation, Prof. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans Zehetmair and former Federal Minister of Economics, Michael Glos (ret.) in April 2011. However, Aung San Suu Kyi stressed that it was important to continue the fight for freedom and democracy.

The Speaker of Parliament, Thura Shwe Mann affirmed his intention of continuing with political and democratic reforms. In May 2012, the Speaker was invited to Europe for his first visit to the region by the Hanns Seidel Foundation and he was able to witness how important parliamentary work is for a stable democracy. He expressed his wish on the success of the National League for Democracy (NLD), which was banned until last year and has won seats in parliament in the last elections in April 2012. Furthermore, the Speaker confirmed that he is prepared to cooperate with the opposition. He stated that Myanmar feels grateful to Germany for the support that its leaders have shown in the past months and openly welcomed a stronger commitment of the Hanns Seidel Foundation, which has been active in Myanmar for many years supporting the reform and democratization process.

In a joint statement with USDP after its visit, the ICAPP Mission, in particular, recognized the significance of launching the multi-party parliament HLUTTAW in Myanmar as a result of the general elections held on November 7, 2010 for peaceful political transition to civilian government to build a new democratic nation, and of the subsequent decision by the NLD to participate in the by-elections of the parliament HLUTTAW held in April 2012.

The ICAPP Mission encouraged the international community to provide necessary support and cooperation to help Myanmar pursue economic development policies through further promoting international cooperation and making its economy more competitive and compatible in this globalized world.

The ICAPP is a forum of political parties of Asia-Oceanian countries, which was launched in Manila, Philippines in September 2000. The objectives of the conference are to promote exchanges and cooperation between political parties from different countries in the area and with various ideologies; to enhance mutual understanding and trust among Asian countries; to promote Asia's regional cooperation through the unique role and channel of political parties; and to create an environment for sustained peace and shared prosperity in the region.

The Co-Chairmen of the Standing Committee are Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr., Founding Chairman of the ICAPP, and Hon. Chung Eui-yong, Former Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee, Democratic Party (formerly United Democratic Party) of the  Republic of Korea and Secretary General of the ICAPP Secretariat.

HSF has been a main partner of ICAPP since the formation and launching of its activities. On October 23, 2012, the Hanns Seidel Foundation will be the first political foundation, as well as one of the first international organizations, to open an office in Yangon. The new representative in Myanmar, Achim Munz, was part of the delegation, along with the country representatives from Manila and Hanoi, Paul G. Schäfer and Axel Neubert.