Malaysia Announces Conference to Support Gaza Reconstruction

The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday the organization of a conference aimed at supporting reconstruction efforts in Palestine, in collaboration with Japan.

The ministry stated that it is coordinating to host the fourth ministerial meeting of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV) in Malaysia this year. This initiative reflects Malaysia’s proactive role in securing international support and strengthening cooperation to ensure the sustainability of Palestine’s reconstruction efforts.

This announcement aligns with the recent statement by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who emphasized the urgent need to accelerate efforts for rebuilding Palestine.

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its full commitment to working alongside Japan under the CEAPAD framework in response to the Palestinian people’s clear and urgent call for assistance.

Furthermore, the ministry highlighted that Malaysia aims to contribute to rebuilding essential infrastructure in Palestine, including a school, a hospital, and a mosque, as a demonstration of the collective commitment of the Malaysian government, private sector, and its people.

Malaysia and Japan will also work together to engage participants from the Conference on Cooperation for Development in the Middle East and North Africa (CEAPAD) to secure the necessary commitments for the successful reconstruction of Gaza.

This includes a series of pre-conference coordination meetings to ensure aid and contributions to Palestine are delivered in a more efficient, organized, and sustainable manner, supporting long-term development.

The Malaysian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, stressing its continued collaboration with regional and international partners to ensure that CEAPAD IV translates into concrete actions that contribute to the reconstruction and long-term stability of Palestine.

On January 19, a ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange between the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the Israeli occupation came into effect, marking the first phase of a 42-day truce during which negotiations will take place for subsequent phases, mediated by Egypt and Qatar with U.S. involvement.

With full American backing, the Israeli occupation committed genocide in Gaza between October 7, 2023, and January 19, 2024, resulting in the massacre of nearly 159,000 Palestinians, including a majority of children and women, while over 14,000 remain missing.