• The Consultative Meeting of the Leading Members of OCIFPGPP

Comrade Damian Ogbonna Co-chair opened the meeting 9pm Sydney time Australia and warmly welcomed all participants. When opening the meeting Comrade Damian gave a brief overview of the purpose of the meeting and the need to consider the international plan and program designed to celebrate the year 2022 in grand style in recognition of the 110th anniversary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung, 80th anniversary of the birth of Kim Jong Il and the 10th anniversary of the election of HE Kim Jong Un to the highest post of the Party and the State of Korea. In particular he drew attention of the significance of the meeting being one day prior to the official birthday of HE Kim Jong Un.

He informed the meeting that it has been attended by formal members of OCIFPGPP as delegates with the right to vote, and senior members of friendship and solidarity organizations with the Korean people around the world were invited as observers empowered to participate in discussions.

Comrade Damian then outlined the agenda for the meeting which was adopted unanimously.

1) Report on the Work of the OCIFPGPP 2) Discussion on the action plans to splendidly celebrate 2022 as the year of international festivities.

Report on the Work of OCIFPGPP

In presenting the report of the OCIFPGPP on behalf of its members Comrade Peter Woods , Co-chair, expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the participants for their genuine support in promoting the activities of the OCIFPGPP during difficult times and wishes all a happy new year and fraternal greetings to the Korean people. (Copy of full report in Appendix A)

At the conclusion of the report Comrade Damian Obonna expressed full support for the report and commented that the leading members of OCIFPGPP had fully discharged its duties and upheld the spirit and principles of the OCIFPGPP.

Discussion on the report

Comrade Raymond Ferguson OCIFPGPP Secretary and joint Secretary of APRCPRK was invited to speak and inform the meeting of the decisions of the APRCPRK Zoom meeting 30th May 2021.

When informing the meeting of the outcome of the APRCPRK meeting Comrade Ferguson reported that in April this year APRCPRK will celebrate its 10th anniversary following its formation in Pyongyang April 2012. Since its formation its membership has grown along with its activities and as a result there was a need to restructure its executive body and leadership to meet the changing dynamics with the outcome of the meeting adopting the following;

1. An amended constitution reflecting the changing circumstances that APRCPRK is now functioning under.

2. Election of an Executive Bureau, Secretariat, Public Information Bureau, and the adoption of a Life Membership Diploma for those who have provided distinguished service of solidarity to Korea and its people.

3. Creation of Face book page, website and APRCPRK Logo.

4. 25th June –27th July 2021 was endorsed as a month of solidarity with the Korean people.

5. Formation of APRCPRK Preparatory Committee and the launching of an appeal in support of the 110th anniversary of the birth of President Kim IL Sung, 80th anniversary of the birth of Chairman Kim Jong IL and the 10th anniversary of the election of HE Kim Jong Un to the highest post of the Party and State.

The chair expressed his appreciation to Comrade Ferguson for his comprehensive report regarding the outcome of the APRCPRK meeting and its recent activities.

Comrade Alejandro Cao de Benos (OCIFPGPP Secretary), President of Korean Friendship Association, when fully endorsing the report given by Co-chair Peter Woods, reported to the meeting that KFA has conducted many distinctive activities unremittingly on an international level in this dire situation with covid-19, assuming it as its sacred mission to laud the exploits of the great leaders of Korea. He also reported that KFA Preparatory Committee to Celebrate the 110th and 80th birthdays of Comrade KIM IL SUNG and Comrade KIM JONG IL was formed.

Comrade Jesus Antonio Carlos from Mexico then informed the meeting of some of the solidarity activities being developed in both Central and Latin America in support of the Korean people and plans regarding the celebrative events for 2022. Comrade Alejandro Cao de Benos translated his report to English.

Following information provided to the meeting by Comrade Jesus Antonio Carlos Comrade Peter Woods assumed the chair of the meeting and submitted the official report for adoption which was unanimously carried by show of hands and by exclamation.

Following the adoption of the report Comrade Woods then conducted a roll call for the purpose of the minutes, following confirmation of the roll call the following were recorded being in attendance along with apologies.

Participants of the Consultative Meeting of OCIFPGPP (voting and non-voting members)

1. Mr. Peter Robert Woods, OCIFPGPP Co-chair (Australia)
2. Mr. Damian Ogbonna, OCIFPGPP Co-chair (Nigeria)
3. Dr. Yahia Zakaria Khiralla, OCIFPGPP Co-chair (Egypt)
4. Mr. C. P. Mainali, OCIFPGPP Vice-chair (Nepal)
5. Neil Fitzgerald, OCIFPGPP Member (Australia)
6. Ms. Norma G. Binas, OCIFPGPP Member (Philippine)
7. Mr. Raymond Ferguson, OCIFPGPP Secretary (Australia)
8. Mr. Javed Ansari, OCIFPGPP Secretary (Pakistan)
9. Mr. Teguh Santosa, OCIFPGPP Member (Indonesia)
10. Mr. Alejandro Cao de Benos, OCIFPGPP Secretary (Spain)
11. Dr. Dermot Hudson, OCIFPGPP Member (UK)
12. Mr. Igor Jurisic, OCIFPGPP Member (Slovenia)
13. Mr. Manfred Schneider, OCIFPGPP Secretary (Germany)
14. Mr. Peter Wilson, OCIFPGPP Member (New Zealand)
15. Nicolai Aamand, Representative, Denmark-DPRK Friendship Association (apology)
16. Christian Popvic, Special Representative to Melbourne, Australia- DPRK Friendship and Cultural Society
17. Hakki Ergincan, Representative, Turkey-Korea Friendship Association
18. Phanindra Raj Pant, General Secretary, Nepal-Korea Friendship Association
19. Roger Shepherd, Hiker and Photographer (New Zealand) (Apology)
20. Mr. Jesus Antonio Carlos Hernandez, OCIFPGPP Co-chair, General Secretary, Central Committee of People’s Socialist Party of Mexico
21. Rita Rojas Farfan, Director of Kim Jong Suk Library, Peru
22. Mr. Victor Petrov, OCIFPGPP Co-chair (Russia)
23. Ambassador Abah, Lewis: Secretary-General for Nigeria; African Committee for Friendship and Solidarity with the Korean People (ACFSKP)
24. Ezeigwe Tochukwu Florence, Administrative Secretary ACFSKP Regional Secretariat
25. Mr Martin Lotscher OCIFPGPP Member Switzerland (apology)
26.    Sandra Martinez, Socialist People's Party of Mexico
27. Sofak Erden, Vatan Party of Turkey
28. Juha Kieksi, Secretary General Finland-Korea Society
29. Mufrida Suttor Abba
30.    Alexandra Vorontsa

Paektusan Declaration

Co-chair Comrade Peter Woods on behalf of the meeting announced the Paektusan Declaration – 2017 that International Festival in Praise of the Great Persons of Mt. Paektu shall be organized every five years in Pyongyang and on Mt. Paektu but the global health crisis made it impossible for us to celebrate this year 2022 together with the Korean people. However, complying with the mission of OCIFPGPP he emphasised that we should carry on with our activities to splendidly celebrate this year. Believing that there will be still good many possibilities to conduct the colourful activities online, he very much looked forward to active involvements in discussion of next year's activities, and valuable inputs.

The meeting unanimously adopted the Paektusan Declaration by show of hands and exclamation.

Presentation of Proposals for 2022 online activities
Proposals were outlined by Co-chair Peter Woods (See Appendix B)

Proposal No. 1
Moved by Norma G Binas, The Philippines

Comrade Norma commented it has already been discussed how important this year is to the Korean people and the world's progressive peoples. By saying that, she proposed to the meeting that it would be appropriate to start off this year's celebration events by organizing national and regional preparatory committees in celebration of these important occasions to ensure the success of the international events organizationally. Already mentioned in the main report by Peter Woods and remarks by many of comrades present here, after the formation of Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Committee on May 31st, KFA, Oceania and Philippine have formed relevant preparatory committees, starting its works to plan next year's festivities.

Seconded by Dermot Hudson, UK.

In expressing full support for Ms. Norma Binas's proposal to form the national and regional Preparatory Committees to celebrate the significant occasions of this year while at the same time, fully supporting the appeal issued by Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Committee on May 31st, Comrade Dermot concur with the proposal to form national and regional preparatory committees at the earliest possible date thus systematizing this year's celebration events internationally.

Fully endorsing the idea, the Chair asked participants to give applause if agreeing to start off this year's celebration activities by forming the preparatory committees in your respective countries and regions. The proposal was endorsed by applause.

Proposal No. 2
Moved by Javed Ansari, Pakistan

Proposed to set an International Celebration Period from February this year in which we mark the Day of the Shining Star, birthday of His Excellency KIM JONG IL, till April, in which we greet the Day of Sun, birthday of President KIM IL SUNG.

During this period of celebration, the international activities could be conducted under the universal endorsement of OCIFPGPP. Meanwhile each national and regional preparatory committee can plan and carry out many colourful events in their own countries. In this way, this year can be further brimmed over with festive mood.

The second idea is to establish an independent website to host this year's international activities as most of the activities by OCIFPGPP would be conducted online.

Seconded by Raymond Ferguson, Australia.

Fully endorsed and supported the proposal by Javed Ansari to set the International Celebration Period. As well as setting the International Celebration Period from upcoming February to April, and conducting many befitting activities in each country, and hopefully on a regional scale as well, while taking into account the restriction measures of each country to contain the Covid-19.

The Asia-Pacific Regional Committee for Peaceful Reunification of Korea is planning to arrange a ZOOM event in the mid April this year to commemorate the 10th founding anniversary of APRCPRK and merge this event with a seminar to celebrate the 110th birthday of President KIM IL SUNG (April 15th) and the 10th anniversary of election of His Excellency KIM JONG UN into the highest post of the Party and State of Korea.

Teguh Santosa, Indonesia, supported the proposal.

The Indonesia-Korea Friendship and Cultural Exchange Association, started working on an independent website for OCIFPGPP to host this year's online activities. I would like to inform the meeting that we are about to launch a trial site with full support and valuable feedback of our Korean comrades and co-chairs, Peter Woods and Damian. (Teguh provided meeting with photos of the developing website).

He commented that it's an honour to design and run the website for OCIFPGPP, and as this is to host the international activities, the support of our international friends present here in the meeting by providing us with photos and video clips showing the activities of their respective organizations is most important. Such an international attention and assistance may help make this website more international and a very informative virtual space for us all to exchange our good experiences. The domain address name we bought for the website is MountPaektuFestival.org, reflecting the main theme of our activities.

Peter Woods expressed appreciation to Norma, Dermot, Javed, Ray and Teguh for their contributions.

As OCIFPGPP co-chair, he considered that what they have proposed are very appropriate and constructive conducive to our overall activities this year. The meeting endorsed by applause.

Peter continued by asking for further constructive inputs for the detailed activities.

Proposal No. 3
Moved by Teguh Santosa, Indonesia

Comrade Teguh commented that while he has been working on a new website he concluded that we could organize an International E-seminar and Photo Exhibition as first online events of OCIFPGPP.

He recalled that everyone would remember the International E-seminar we had with great success and participation in October 10th, 2020 on the occasion of the 75th founding anniversary of Workers' Party of Korea. By reminding of this fact, he stated it would be a meaningful start if our international friends could actively contribute their written presentations to the seminar.

At the same time, he proposed to hold an online photo exhibition on the occasion of the Day of the Shining Star, which is the birthday of Leader KIM JONG IL, as a separate online event from E-seminar. If this proposal is approved and adopted at this meeting, this will be an event which requires assistance from our Korean comrades such as provision of relevant photos to be displayed on the website. While proposing the idea of organizing a photo exhibition, he also suggested that it will be more distinctive if Mr. Roger Shepherd, a New Zealand hiker and photographer, well-known among us with his adventurous hiking projects to Mt. Paektu and wonderful mountain photos. Many other comrades around the world can contribute their photos taken on Mt. Paektu and in this area as the main theme of the photo exhibition will be "Mount Paektu" where Leader KIM JONG IL was born.

Seconded by Dr Yahia Zakaria Khiralla OCIFPGPP Co-Chair (Egypt).

Believing that it is a very timely to hold an International E-seminar, he fully supported the proposal. In expressing heartfelt thanks to Mr. Teguh Santosa for his proactive efforts and commitment, he proposed that the meeting entrust Mr. Teguh Santosa to make due technical arrangements to host both E-seminar and Photo Exhibition. At the same time he would like to express full confidence that our Korean comrades will actively support and assist us in the successful holding of the proposed activities.

Co-chair Peter Woods suggested that the proposed E-seminar and Photo Exhibition are good and appropriate actions to be part of this year's online festivities and Teguh be asked to host these two events from February 10th on the new website.

The proposal was unanimously supported by show of hands and acclamation.

Proposal No. 4

Peter Woods also reminded the meeting that while organizing E-seminar and photo exhibition under the promotion of OCIFPGPP, national and regional PCs should organize corresponding activities to celebrate the birthday of Leader KIM JONG IL, which is February 16th.

Further inputs were welcomed.

Move by Alejandro Cao de Benos, Spain.

Comrade Alejandro proposed to organize the online Celebration Forum on the occasion of the Day of the Sun. This would be a virtual platform to post the photos showing the revolutionary exploits of Comrade KIM IL SUNG, founding father of socialist Korea, a collection of short stories written by foreigners about Comrade KIM IL SUNG and video clips including one showing the 5th International Festival in Praise of the Great Persons of Mt Paektu. In addition to that, if our international friends are able to record and send video messages with the congratulatory remarks on the occasion of the Day of the Sun that could be a special additive to the forum. As E-seminar is organized on the occasion of the Day of the Shining Star, it would be a good idea to have some video messages rather than written ones as it will put another complexion on the general appearance of our festivities.

If OCIFPGPP entrusts me with this proposed event, I, as president of KFA and its Preparatory Committee to celebrate the meaningful occasions of this year, will happily and readily take the responsibility to host the event through the KFA website.

In the meantime, on the occasions of the 110th anniversary of the Day of the Sun and the 10th anniversary of election of Comrade KIM JONG UN into the highest post of the Party and State of Korea, I would like to assure the meeting that we, within the KFA, will plan and push ahead independent actions plans to further contribute to raising the international atmosphere of celebration.

Seconded by Comrade Mainali Vice-president OCIFPGPP (Nepal).

Stated it would be very distinctive if this proposal can be translated into reality as it takes on a different look. In particular, video message from the international friends on the Day of the Sun is a very splendid idea. Fully seconding the proposal of Comrade Alejandro, I will assist in organizing this event online by providing video messages from many influential personages from Nepal who have been received by President KIM IL SUNG.

Co-chair Peter Woods Said it was a unanimous view of the participants that what has been proposed by Mr. Alejandro is a very bright idea and that this event is hosted by Alejandro through KFA website on the basis of his ample experience of extensively conducting the online activities, and that in order to ensure the unity of action, we have his website linked to OCIFPGPP website as it is a part of the overall festivities of OCIFPGPP.

As OCIFPGPP Secretary, Alejandro should make contact with the Korean comrades for extra insurance of success of the event, and OCIFPGPP members should also fully provide him with necessary materials to post the website, such as video congratulatory messages.

In the meantime, I wish KFA preparatory committee and Asia-Pacific Regional Committee for Peaceful Reunification of Korea and other preparatory committees all the best in their planning for extra activities outside of OCIFPGPP action plan, and its successful implementation to celebrate the meaningful occasion of April.

Endorsed by acclamation.

Co-chair Peter Woods:
believed many colourful ideas were presented for this year and adopted unanimously. One thing as convenor of this zoom meeting, I would like to add to the meeting is that our Korean comrades are making one-year long preparation after initiating the International Books and Literary Works Contest in Celebration of the 110th Birth Anniversary of President KIM IL SUNG and the 80th Birth Anniversary of General KIM JONG IL. With this in mind, I see that this should be the one of the events we have to support and give wide publicity this year. During my discussion with the Korean comrades prior to this meeting, they advised me that this event will be introduced through their website, www.friend.com.kp.

With this in mind, I suggest that we should also link their website to our OCIFPGPP website as a part of this year's festivities.

As I see no other objections with this idea, it will be very much appreciated if you can endorse this. For practical issues to support this event, I would like to ask Mr. Teguh to keep in touch with our Korean comrades. Proposal carried by exclamation.

Co-chair Damian Ogbonna:
expressed the view that many creative ideas were brainstormed and consensus agrees that they are all appropriate to be adopted as our main activities this year. He proposed that the meeting summon an Enlarged Meeting of OCIFPGPP as a Zoom event at the point we successfully conclude this year’s online festivities to review the works of OCIFPGPP during the International Celebration Period as well as renewing the composition of OCIFPGPP and having further discussion for future orientation of OCIFPGPP. While proposing the enlarged Zoom meeting as the end of this year's celebration. Mr. Teguh was asked to take over the responsibility to host the meeting. If agreeable, I suggest having the OCIFPGPP Enlarged ZOOM Meeting on the coming April 20th and kindly invite our Korean comrades to attend this meeting.

Co-chair Peter Woods:
fully supported the idea of summoning the Organizing Committee's Enlarged Meeting and the suggestion that this meeting should be hosted by Mr. Teguh. We should also invite our Korean comrades to the meeting as one of the purposes of the meeting is to restructure OCIFPGPP. For this, I will make contact with our Korean comrades in the capacity of OCIFPGPP Co-chair and convey our invitation as well as advising them of the result of this meeting.

In the meantime, as for the theme of the adopted events in this meeting, I would like to take the initiative in presenting joint convenors' ideas as follows:

1. For International E-seminar, I suggest to be titled as "KIM JONG IL – Eternal Symbol of the Great Paektusan Nation"

2. For International Photo Exhibition the main theme of it shall be "Mount Paektu"

3. For Celebration Forum for the Day of the Sun in April, I suggest to name as "KIM IL SUNG – Eternal Sun of humankind" If agreeable, we shall reflect the names of events above in the official document which will be adopted in this meeting.
Co-chair Damian Ogbonna: Mr. Alejandro, our Joint Secretary, read out the draft official report of OCIFPGPP.
Recital of OCIFPGPP Official Statement was read by Alejandro from Spain (Statement attached in Appendix C)

Taking delight in the successful proceedings of the meeting with active participation of OCIFPGPP members, international friends of the Korean people, I see that it would be necessary to adopt an official statement stipulating the action plans discussed in this meeting and widely circulate the document to all the international friends so that we can take concerted action in this year's festivities.

Adoption of Official Statement was proposed by Co-chair Damian Ogbonna:
(The original copy of this official report will be in English, and will be circulated to friendship and solidarity organizations with the Korean people around the world translated into Spanish, Russian, Japanese and French)

Statement adopted by exclamation.

Proposition to adopt a Congratulatory Letter

Co-chair Damian Ogbonna advised that as January 8th is the birthday of Comrade Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, the Organising Committee requested the Korean Comrades to deliver a floral basket. (A photo was displayed on the screen for the participants who endorsed this action by acclamation).

Along with this floral basket as a gift of all participants to Comrade KIM JONG UN, there was also a proposal to present a congratulatory message.

Mr. Javed Ansari, Joint Secretary, read out the draft letter, which had been prepared and agreed among the Co-chairs and senior members.

Recital of Congratulatory Letter by Comrade Javed Asari OCIFPGPP Joint Secretary. (Letter attached in Appendix D)

Co-chair Conclusion & Closing the meeting

Co-chair Peter Woods:
When closing the meeting Co-Chair Comrade Peter made the following comments:

1) Extended gratitude to everyone in attendance for their active participation, while expressing the expectation that everyone would actively join the OCIFPGPP activities which will start off briskly from February.

2) Expect that national preparatory committees are formed at the earliest possible date and inform Teguh about that so that it can be also posted our OCIFPGPP website.

3) Emphasize that regular contact is retained to enhance the working efficiency of the Organizing Committee as well as presenting ideas for any colourful activities that could be added into the list of actions.

Damian Ogbonna thanked Javed for drafting the letter which was endorsed by acclamation. Joint Secretaries were entrusted to make an earliest possible contact with our Korean Comrades so that relevant arrangements can be made to present to Comrade Kim Jong Un.

4) Entrust secretaries to provide sought after information to Joint Secretary Raymond Ferguson whom it was agreed by all to prepare the official Minutes of the meeting, and on completion Joint Secretaries Javed Ansari, Alejandro and Ray Ferguson to circulate at the earliest possible date.

5) Promise to meet again on April 20th Enlarged Meeting after successfully concluding the activities during the International Celebration Period. In conclusion the Co–chair, Peter Woods, expressed his sincere appreciation on behalf of himself and Comrade Damian for the very constructive contributions presented and the very professional conduct of participants and that he expressed confidence that the activities of OCIPGPP will be highly successful in support of Korea and its people. He wished all good health and for all to stay safe during the pandemic.

The meeting closed at 11.15pm Sydney Australia time (1915 Jakarta time).