Fourth Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development, 11 July 2025

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan attended the Fourth Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development Ministerial Meeting (CEAPAD IV) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 11 July 2025. CEAPAD was initiated by Japan in 2013 for regional countries to discuss capacity-building assistance for the Palestinian Authority (PA).

In his statement, Minister Balakrishnan re-affirmed Singapore’s support for the PA’s capacity building efforts through the S$10 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Package (ETAP) and through two new initiatives. In 2026, Singapore will collaborate with the Japan International Cooperation Agency to train Palestinian Civil Police officers in community policing. In addition, a new Young Leaders Programme for emerging Palestinian leaders will be established to share Singapore’s experience in governance and public administration.

Minister Balakrishnan also met separately with Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Dr Estephan Anton Salameh on the sidelines. They discussed relevant areas which Singapore can be of assistance to the PA. Minister Balakrishnan welcomed more Palestinian officials to participate in programmes under the ETAP.

The full text of Minister Balakrishnan’s statement is at Annex.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

11 JULY 2025

ANNEX

INTERVENTION BY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS DR VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN AT THE 4^TH CONFERENCE ON COOPERATION AMONG EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES FOR PALESTINIAN DEVELOPMENT MINISTERIAL MEETING IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, 11 JULY 2025

Thank you, Your Excellency Dato’ Seri Utama Mohamad Bin Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia;

Your Excellency Mr Iwaya Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan;

Dr Estephan Salameh, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of Palestine,

1.    I want to commend Japan and Malaysia for co-organising the Fourth Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) Ministerial Meeting. Singapore has participated in CEAPAD since its inception in 2013.

2.    We are all gravely concerned with the tragedy of the ongoing conflict and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. We urgently reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the swift and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid and support for UNRWA. We need to alleviate, urgently, the suffering of the civilians in Gaza. Thereafter, a permanent ceasefire is needed so that reconstruction can begin. Gaza’s needs will be massive. The Palestinian Authority’s role will be central, and Singapore will do what we can to help.

3.    Singapore remains committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority’s capacity-building and human capital development. I thank both His Excellencies Prime Minister Dr Mohammed Mustafa and Minister Dr Estephan Salameh for sharing the priorities and plans of the Palestinian Authority. We stand in full support of your plans.

4.    At the inaugural CEAPAD Ministerial Meeting in 2013, Singapore announced the establishment of the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package (ETAP) for the Palestinian Authority. We expanded this programme further in 2016 when my then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Ramallah. To date, more than 800 Palestinian officials have participated in our Enhanced Technical Assistance programme and funded customised training courses and study visits in areas like public administration, digitalisation, and public health. The ETAP has also funded postgraduate scholarships for Palestinian officials to study in Singapore. We will expand this to include undergraduate scholarships for Palestinian students to study STEM-related subjects at Singapore universities.

5.    I am pleased to announce two initiatives for next year. First, Singapore will collaborate with the Japan International Cooperation Agency to run a training programme on community policing for the Palestinian Civil Police Force. Second, Singapore will organise a Young Leaders’ Programme for emerging Palestinian leaders to share our experience in governance and public administration. We look forward to doing more in support of the Palestinian Authority.

Excellencies,

6.    Singapore hopes that our collective efforts at this CEAPAD meeting will strengthen the Palestinian Authority and help prepare the Palestinian people for a state of their own. Singapore has consistently supported a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. We believe this is still the only viable pathway for a durable, just, and comprehensive solution where both Palestinians and Israelis can stand alongside each other in peace, dignity and security. Your people so much deserve to have all this.

Thank you.

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