Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD), a regional platform it launched in 2013. The initiative aims to foster collaboration among East Asian nations to support Palestine’s long-term development, particularly in the context of Gaza’s post-war reconstruction.
A CEAPAD briefing session, held recently and co-chaired by diplomats from Japan and Palestine. The roster filled up quickly as participants eagerly registered from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. It was a real honor to have representatives from U.S. These ranged from the World Bank to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, the Islamic Development Bank, the Office of the Quartet.
CEAPAD is intended to contribute to the building blocks of a viable, sovereign Palestinian state. It helps to do this by disseminating valuable lessons for inclusive economic growth, institutional development, and the building of human capital. It stands as a significant example of Japan’s efforts to enhance international cooperation dedicated to Palestine’s development.
During the webinar, participants engaged in vibrant discussion on strategies for Gaza’s reconstruction amidst growing calls for a ceasefire. They jointly committed to convening a CEAPAD Ministerial Meeting in Malaysia later this year. This meeting will act as a springboard for deeper discussions on how to work together towards tackling the challenges before Palestine.
“Participants reaffirmed their readiness to support the Palestinian effort and collaborate in various ways by utilising their own strengths in order to contribute to humanitarian assistance and recovery and reconstruction efforts, as well as to peace and stability in the medium to long term,” – Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
Beyond its diplomacy, Japan has made efforts to go beyond words and take concrete action to help the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The country just had the first successful medical evacuation to bring injured Gazans for treatment. Of those evacuated, two patients were found to have the potential for significant functional recovery with aggressive management in Japan.
“Japan cannot ignore the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, and has recently conducted a medical evacuation to treat injured people from Gaza in Japan. Based on medical assessments, two individuals have been identified as likely to achieve meaningful functional recovery through treatment in Japan,” – Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
Japan aims to take on a bigger leadership role in international cooperation through CEAPAD and its humanitarian assistance projects. Thailand is determined to provide as much assistance as possible towards Palestine’s reconstruction and development. The continued focus on post-war reconstruction underscores the importance of collaboration among East Asian nations to address this pressing issue.
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