CEAPAD Must Take Concrete Action For Palestine Recovery - Analysts

By Muhammad Fawwaz Thaqif Nor Afandi

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- The upcoming Fourth Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV) must move beyond symbolic gestures and take on a pivotal role in coordinating a future-oriented recovery for Palestine, analysts said.

Set to be held for the first time in Malaysia on July 11, the conference is expected to outline actionable strategies that prioritise long-term, sustainable reconstruction and effective aid delivery. Analysts also emphasise the need for measures to safeguard future development efforts from further destruction.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (MAPIM) Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim, said the scale of destruction in Gaza demands a bold and united response from East Asian countries, especially as the death toll continues to rise and critical infrastructure lies in ruins.

“In the context of the ongoing massacre in Gaza, which has now surpassed 56,000 deaths and caused destruction of basic infrastructure on an extraordinary scale, CEAPAD cannot be merely symbolic.

“It must serve as a starting point for a firmer, and future-resilient development diplomacy approach,” he told Bernama.

He stressed the need to protect reconstruction efforts from future attacks by granting key infrastructure projects diplomatic immunity status, supported by formal documentation, including from ASEAN and the Arab League.

Sany Araby urged CEAPAD member countries with expertise in green technology, modular construction and smart agriculture - such as Japan, South Korea and Malaysia - to collaborate to develop a ‘green rebuild zone’ in Gaza. The initiative would focus on the construction of critical infrastructure including schools, clinics and farms, with the active involvement of local Gazan labour under contract.

He said another crucial area is human capital, and CEAPAD member nations must commit to sponsor the training and scholarships for at least 10,000 Palestinian youth over five years in high-skill areas including artificial intelligence, public health, engineering, and disaster management.

“The key word here is not merely collaboration, but coordination with unified action. CEAPAD countries must move beyond the old model of bilateral efforts and instead create a joint master plan with concrete implementation,” he said.

The convening of CEAPAD IV comes as a critical time as Palestine continues to face relentless aggression from Israel.

The total aid blockade by Israel since March amid widespread destruction including critical facilities has further aggravated the humanitarian crisis in the enclave. Numerous human rights groups have deemed the area as no longer habitable.

Meanwhile, Asia Middle East Centre for Research and Dialogue (AMEC) founding director Muslim Imran said CEAPAD must lead international calls for a ceasefire and intensify pressure on the United States (US) and Israel to stop the ongoing aggression in Gaza.

“The East Asian countries have a huge collective weight, and they can push the United States to change its approach in situation in Gaza.

“Although the international community has voted several times for a ceasefire, Israel continues to carry out its aggression. CEAPAD powers like Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia must take the lead in demanding a stop to this war,” he told Bernama.

Muslim said humanitarian assistance must also be the top priority of CEAPAD, as the Israeli blockade and bombardment have led to the collapse of the healthcare system, widespread starvation and death from malnutrition, especially among children.

“Tens of thousands of Palestinians continue to be in need of immediate medical attention, but because of Israel's policy of targeting the medical sector, targeting doctors and hospitals, many Palestinians were denied necessary medical attention,” he said.

On the long-term front, Muslim called on CEAPAD members to take a more active role in Palestine’s recovery and redevelopment.

“For reconstruction, East Asian countries can work directly with Palestinian agencies to support the education, healthcare, energy, and social sectors. But without a ceasefire and immediate humanitarian access, development cannot begin,” he added.

CEAPAD, a regional conference framework initiated by Japan in 2013, brings together several East Asian countries to support Palestinian state-building efforts by drawing on resources, knowledge, and experiences of economic development of the member states. 

Current member states of CEAPAD are Japan, Palestine, Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

CEAPAD IV, to be co-chaired by Malaysia, Japan and Palestine will focus on among others capacity-building programmes and redevelopment of critical infrastructure in Palestine as well as effective provision and delivery of comprehensive humanitarian assistance.

It will be held in conjunction with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings and related meetings chair by Malaysia under its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship.

-- BERNAMA