Japan Urges ASEAN to Help 'Rebuild' Palestine

Regional Powers Convene in Kuala Lumpur

On 11 July, ministers and senior officials from across East Asia gathered in Kuala Lumpur for the Fourth Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD). The 75-minute ministerial session was jointly chaired by the foreign ministers of Japan, Malaysia, and Palestine.

Thirteen countries and two international organisations—including Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)—attended the high-level meeting. This marked the first CEAPAD ministerial gathering since 2018.

Focus on Gaza Recovery and Two-State Solution

The meeting was set at a time where humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the West Bank continue to worsen. Attendees called for an immediate ceasefire, the resumption of humanitarian aid, and for the impartial operations of UN agencies.

Iwaya Takeshi, Japan’s foreign minister, emphasised Tokyo’s $230 million in humanitarian assistance to Palestine since October 2023. He said Japan would continue its long-term support, focusing on economic recovery, infrastructure, and reforms under the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” initiative, which includes projects like the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park in the West Bank.

Host country Malaysia announced a US$1 million (S$1.35 million) contribution to UNRWA and the Palestinian Red Crescent. Other participants expressed their readiness to expand cooperation in areas such as healthcare, housing, debris clearance, and economic resilience—key pillars of the newly adopted CEAPAD IV Kuala Lumpur Action Plan.

Japan Promotes Practical Regional Model

Japan reiterated that Southeast Asia’s development model—marked by rapid growth, institutional reform, and regional partnerships—can offer practical lessons for Palestine’s reconstruction. Tokyo’s officials stressed the need to shift from “verbal intentions” to concrete, shared solutions across the region.

Beyond financial aid, Japan is advancing practical development strategies such as transitional energy technologies, low-emissions infrastructure, and regional climate initiatives. Existing partnerships with firms like Petronas and Tenaga Nasional on hydrogen and biomass projects reflect models Japan says could support Palestine’s reconstruction, economic resilience, and job growth.

Singapore Commits New Initiatives for Palestinian Development

Singapore reaffirmed its support for Palestinian development with two new initiatives under its S$10 million assistance package. It will collaborate with Japan to train Palestinian Civil Police officers in community policing and launch a Young Leaders Programme to share Singapore’s governance and public administration practices.

Since 2013, over 800 Palestinian officials have taken part in courses covering digitalisation, public health, and administration, with plans to extend STEM scholarships at the undergraduate level. Singapore expressed continued support for a two-state solution and for the Palestinian Authority’s role in reconstruction efforts.

Stronger Regional Commitment, Renewed Action Plan

A Co-Chairs’ Joint Statement and the approval of the Kuala Lumpur Action Plan, which lists 15 priority areas for assistance, marked the end of the meeting. These range from institutional capacity building and humanitarian relief to sustainable development.

As Israel’s genocide continues in Gaza, CEAPAD partners have reaffirmed their backing of a two-state solution, calling on the international community to move beyond statements—and take coordinated action.

Conference Images collected from Instagram @/mofa.jp_en

Find the joint statement and action plan here:

https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100873967.pdf

https://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/-/ceapad-iv-kuala-lumpur-action-plan-2025