The Asian Conference on Religion and Peace (ACRP) was first convened in Singapore in 1976. Its origins trace to WCRP II held at Leuven, Belgium, in September 1974. The participating religious leaders from Asian countries were eager to hold a regional conference like the WCRP to reanimate the Asian religious and cultural heritage, to preserve human dignity, and to promote justice and peace in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Subsequent conferences have been held every five years: in Singapore (ACRP I) in 1976; New Delhi, India (ACRP II), in 1981; Seoul, Korea (ACRP III), in 1986; Katmandu, Nepal (ACRP IV), in 1991; and Ayutthaya, Thailand (ACRP V), in 1996. 

And the sixth assembly of the ACRP took place in June 2002 at Yogyakarta, Indonesia, under the theme "Asia, the Reconciler." Some 300 religious delegates from Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Confucian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Shinto, Sikh, Tao, Zoroastrian, and other religious traditions from 20 Asian and Pacific countries participated. The conference, originally scheduled for November of 2001, had been postponed due to the tense situation in the world caused by the September 11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent military operations in Afghanistan.

Rev. Nichiko Niwano, president of Rissho Kosei-kai and also a president of the ACRP, participated in the conference along with the two official representatives and some 50 members on behalf of the organization.

Detailed information can be obtained from the official web site of the ACRP at the following URL: http://www.acrp.to/