Latest news with #CEAPADIV
Barnama
3 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
EAS Foreign Ministers Reaffirm Commitment To Strengthen Strategic Dialogue Platform
GENERAL Malaysia's Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (centre) poses for a group photo during the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV) in conjunction with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. By Nazira Hasanah Nasaruddin & Ahmad Aidil Syukri Hamzah KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- The East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the EAS as the premier leaders-led platform for strategic dialogue and regional cooperation, amid evolving geopolitical dynamics. According to the ASEAN Chairman's Statement issued after the 15th EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting here, the ministers underlined the forum's role in promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia, in line with the ASEAN Charter and key regional declarations including the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). They reiterated that the EAS must remain open, inclusive and ASEAN-centred while upholding a rules-based regional architecture grounded in international law and the United Nations Charter. The meeting also emphasised the importance of fostering strategic trust and ensuring responsible, transparent and predictable behaviour among nations, with full respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Amid shifting global dynamics, the ministers acknowledged the urgency of reinforcing the EAS's relevance and effectiveness, particularly as the summit approaches its 20th anniversary. The ministers reaffirmed ASEAN's central role as the region's convenor for strategic dialogue and stressed the value of confidence-building measures and preventive diplomacy in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. They also called for deeper collaboration through ASEAN-led mechanisms and greater synergy across existing regional institutions to avoid duplication and promote coherence in addressing regional challenges. Efforts to improve the EAS's internal coordination and follow-up mechanisms were also noted, including the need for more timely implementation of leaders' decisions during inter-sessional periods.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Palestine urges CEAPAD countries to take stronger political stance on crisis
KUALA LUMPUR: 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. – Bernama
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia boosts Gaza recovery efforts with CEAPAD and UNRWA support
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia continues to strengthen its role in supporting the Palestinian people, particularly in the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. He welcomed the readiness of Japan and Palestine to co-chair, alongside Malaysia, the upcoming 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV) — a key regional cooperation platform that will be outlined through the Kuala Lumpur Action Plan in the near future. 'Our focus is clear, a comprehensive humanitarian response, early recovery, economic development and capacity building. 'We are also committed to coordinating joint efforts under the Gaza reconstruction plan initiated by Egypt, which has received support from the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),' he said in a statement issued to Bernama and RTM on Friday. Earlier, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, received a courtesy call from Palestinian Planning and International Cooperation Minister Dr Estephan Salameh and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) representative Natalie Boucly at his office here today. Apart from the Palestinian issue, Anwar said the meeting also touched on the role of UNRWA in international missions. 'The Israeli regime's barbaric act of banning UNRWA is an open attack against a United Nations (UN) body and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,' he said. UNRWA was established in 1949 as a critical lifeline for Palestinian refugees, and it currently supports nearly 5.9 million people in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Meanwhile, CEAPAD is a regional platform led by Japan since 2013, bringing together several East Asian countries to support Palestine's nation-building efforts by leveraging member countries' resources, expertise and economic development experience. Current CEAPAD members include Japan, Palestine, Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. - Bernama
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Palestine's Estephan Salameh arrives in Kuala Lumpur for CEAPAD IV
SEPANG: Palestine's Planning and International Cooperation Minister Dr Estephan Salameh arrived in Kuala Lumpur Friday (July 11) to attend the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV). He arrived on a special flight at the KLIA Bunga Raya Complex at 8.40 am and was received by Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali. Salameh is scheduled to co-chair the CEAPAD IV alongside Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. The meeting is held in conjunction with the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship. CEAPAD IV will focus, among others, on capacity-building programmes, the reconstruction of critical infrastructure in Palestine, and the effective delivery of comprehensive humanitarian assistance. Current member states of CEAPAD are Japan, Palestine, Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. The last CEAPAD ministerial meeting was held in Bangkok in 2018. According to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry's website, the meeting reflects Malaysia's continued commitment to the Palestinian cause, as underscored by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 29, who emphasised the urgent need to accelerate efforts for the reconstruction of Gaza and Palestine. The ministry reiterated its commitment to working closely with Japan under the CEAPAD framework to respond to the Palestinians' call for assistance. - Bernama
The Sun
06-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Japan FM Iwaya visits Malaysia for 58th AMM, co-hosts CEAPAD IV
KUALA LUMPUR: Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will visit Malaysia this week to participate in the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and co-chair the Fourth Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV). This marks his first official trip to Malaysia since assuming office last October. Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata highlighted the significance of the visit, stating it underscores Japan's strong backing for ASEAN centrality and the deepening bilateral relationship with Malaysia. 'This visit reflects Japan's deep engagement with Southeast Asia and our commitment to working closely with Malaysia on key regional and global issues - from humanitarian support and energy transition to education and maritime security,' Shikata said. Malaysia is hosting the 58th AMM at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from July 8 to 11. As the current ASEAN Chair, Malaysia plays a pivotal role in shaping regional discussions. Japan, ASEAN's first dialogue partner since 1973, has steadily expanded its involvement, including joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2004 and upgrading ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023. A key focus of Iwaya's visit is CEAPAD IV, co-hosted by Japan and Malaysia on July 11. Launched in 2013, CEAPAD coordinates development support for Palestine, with Malaysia actively participating since its inception. The conference highlights both nations' shared commitment to humanitarian and developmental efforts in the region.
