Palestine urges Ceapad nations to take stronger political stance on crisis

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 — 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 Estephan Salameh said that while Ceapad has meaningfully contributed to Palestine’s development efforts, there is 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.

Salameh said this year’s Ceapad meeting is being held at a critical and painful time for Palestine.

“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 Salameh, alongside 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.

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 Palestinians’ rights to dignity, self-determination, and sovereignty,” he said.

— Bernama