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East and Southeast Asia Strengthen Political, Financial, and Diplomatic Support to UNRWA and Palestine Refugees

UNRWA

31 Jul 2025

Kuala Lumpur,

At a time of immense humanitarian need in the Gaza Strip and across the region, countries of East and Southeast Asia reaffirmed their strong political, financial, and moral support to UNRWA and millions of Palestine Refugees.

The regional backing was on full display at the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV)[1] co-hosted by Japan, Malaysia, and Palestine in Kuala Lumpur on 11 July, where the Deputy Commissioner-General (DCG) for Programmes and Partnerships, Natalie Boucly, represented UNRWA.

The event was held on the margins of the 58th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. CEAPAD members recognised UNRWA's irreplaceable role in delivering education, healthcare, and other essential services to communities in crisis.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers across the region also reaffirmed their support for UNRWA, and called for the resumption of full, rapid, safe humanitarian access in Gaza. They also called on all parties to the war in Gaza to protect civilian lives and to abide by international humanitarian and human rights law.

In their joint statement, the CEAPAD co-chairs reiterated the members' collective commitment and stressed the need to continue their "...partnership with humanitarian agencies, including UNRWA, and to utilize existing humanitarian coordination mechanisms..."

New and renewed financial pledges demonstrated the region's commitment to Palestine Refugees. Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam announced new contributions to UNRWA, while Brunei, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, and the Republic of Korea reaffirmed their ongoing financial support to the Agency. In meetings and discussions, CEAPAD countries individually expressed deep appreciation for UNRWA's development and humanitarian work and pledged to continue supporting urgent humanitarian efforts in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).

"The strong show of solidarity from East and Southeast Asia, through financial and diplomatic support, sends a powerful message to Palestine Refugees that they are not alone. We are deeply grateful to our partners across the region for helping to keep hope alive," said DCG Boucly.

She underscored that "by safeguarding UNRWA, the international community will retain an immense asset to support a political transition, empower local institutions, and ensure the future of development in Palestine."

The Conference concluded with the adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Action Plan 2025, positioning CEAPAD as a key mechanism to strengthen national efforts and coordinate regional support for Palestine Refugees. The plan focuses on critical areas including getting humanitarian aid to those in desperate need, helping families recover and rebuild, and supporting long-term economic development across the oPt.

[1] The Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) is a Japan-led multilateral initiative launched in 2013 to support Palestinian state-building and development. It brings together East Asian countries, the Palestinian Authority, and key international organisations to share development experiences and mobilise technical and financial assistance.

Background Information:

UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.

UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.

UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.