Palestine Urges CEAPAD Countries To Take Stronger Political Stance On Crisis

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- Palestine has called on member countries of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) to take a firmer and united stance on the political dimensions of the crisis, beyond offering development aid and technical assistance.

Palestine’s Planning and International Cooperation Minister Dr Estephan Salameh said that while CEAPAD has meaningfully contributed to Palestine’s development efforts, there is now a need for stronger political solidarity amid escalating atrocities.

“We want this group to be more than just a development platform. We want it to be a voice for justice and freedom for our people. We need support in ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state,” he told Bernama.

Dr Salameh said this year’s CEAPAD meeting is being held at a critical and painful time for the Palestinian people.

“This year’s meeting is taking place under very difficult circumstances. We are here while our people are facing genocide and one of the most brutal occupations,” he said.

The fourth edition of CEAPAD (CEAPAD IV) today will focus on capacity-building, the reconstruction of critical infrastructure in Palestine and the effective delivery of comprehensive humanitarian aid.

The meeting will be co-chaired by Dr Salameh, alongside Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.

The CEAPAD IV meeting is being held in conjunction with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship.

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

Meanwhile, Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali said CEAPAD has evolved into a meaningful platform for solidarity and political alignment among East and Southeast Asian nations.

“CEAPAD represents a unique coalition of countries willing to support Palestinian state-building, not only through aid and capacity development, but also by affirming the Palestinian people’s rights to dignity, self-determination and sovereignty,” he said.

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the meeting served as a pivotal platform to recalibrate national efforts and consolidate collective regional assistance in response to the Palestinians’ urgent needs, especially in critical areas.

These include immediate humanitarian response, early recovery and reconstruction, economic development, capacity building and institutional reform and governance.

“The conference is expected to culminate with the adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Action Plan 2025, which outlines CEAPAD priorities for Palestine,” it said.

The ministry said Malaysia has reiterated its commitment to support efforts for immediate humanitarian aid, reconstruction of Gaza and capacity building for Palestine, including through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).

-- BERNAMA