JAPAN REAFFIRMS CEAPAD ROLE, BEGINS TREATMENT FOR EVACUATED GAZA PATIENTS

By Nabilah Saleh

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- Japan has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Palestine through both direct humanitarian assistance and regional cooperation, following the latest Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) briefing session co-chaired with Palestine recently.

Held online under the framework of the CEAPAD, the session brought together East Asian nations and development partners to discuss Gaza’s post-ceasefire reconstruction.

“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) told Bernama International News Service, in a statement shared by the Embassy of Japan in Kuala Lumpur.

As part of this renewed commitment, the participants also agreed to coordinate the convening of a CEAPAD Ministerial Meeting in Malaysia at an appropriate time this year.

Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam attended the session, as well as representatives from the World Bank, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the Islamic Development Bank, and the Office of the Quartet (OQ).

Japan stressed that CEAPAD remains the most prominent example of Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation in support of Palestine’s long-term development, particularly through East Asian collaboration, added the statement.

As part of its latest humanitarian assistance, Japan conducted its first medical evacuation of two injured Palestinians, who had been hospitalised in Egypt after suffering injuries and illnesses due to the conflict in the Gaza strip, to receive treatment in Japan, an initiative led by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Both individuals have since arrived in Japan and begun receiving medical treatment, the Ministry confirmed.

“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 hopes that these young people who present the future of Gaza and Palestine will recover through treatment in Japan and return to Gaza to contribute to reconstruction and development,” the ministry said in the same statement.

Japan has provided US$230 million in assistance since October 2023 alone, including humanitarian aid, early recovery support, and financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority.

Overall, Japan’s aid to Palestine since 1993 totals approximately US$2.6 billion, covering political, diplomatic and developmental assistance.

Beyond bilateral aid, Japan continues to lead regional coordination efforts through CEAPAD.

During a bilateral meeting in Putrajaya on Jan 10, Ishiba and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim discussed ongoing cooperation under CEAPAD.

Anwar conveyed Malaysia’s full support for Japan’s leadership in the initiative, particularly its focus on post-war reconstruction in Gaza. He described the effort as deeply meaningful for Malaysia and the wider Muslim community.

Launched by Japan in 2013, CEAPAD serves as a regional platform for East Asian countries to share their experiences in economic growth, institutional development and human capital strengthening to help build a viable Palestinian state.

-- BERNAMA