A: Hey there! Did you catch the news yesterday?
B: Not yet, what's up?

A: Our Foreign Minister Iwaya made a big announcement! He called on East Asian countries to team up and help Palestine!
B: Whoa, really?! Where was this conference held?

A: It was in Malaysia. The meeting was all about finding ways to support Palestine since they're facing some tough times right now.
B: Tough times, huh? What kind of help do they need exactly?

A: Well, our minister said there's an urgent need for humanitarian aid and early reconstruction efforts. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation to expand and diversify support for Palestine.
B: So Japan is joining forces with other countries to help out then?

A: Absolutely! Our minister said Japan will work together with other relevant countries and organizations to provide humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.
B: That's great to hear! I wonder what the results were from this conference...

A: The co-chairs released a statement expressing their concern over the dire situation in Gaza and called for global action. They also unveiled an action plan with 15 major areas of support, like health, housing, and debris management!
B: Wow, that sounds like a big step forward! Thanks for filling me in!

A: No problem! It's always good to keep each other updated. I heard the conference was first launched by Japan back in 2013, so it's nice to see we're still making progress.
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Japan's Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi has called on East Asian countries to join hands to expand support for Palestine.



He made the appeal at the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development in Malaysia on Friday. Representatives of the Palestinian Authority, East Asian countries, and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, were among the attendees.



Iwaya, who served as the meeting's co-chair, said Palestine is facing unprecedented difficulties, and there is an urgent need for humanitarian support, as well as an enormous need for early reconstruction and recovery efforts.



He said it is significant for countries to cooperate and try to expand support for Palestine and diversify means of support.



The minister said Japan will cooperate with relevant countries and organizations and play an active role in providing humanitarian and reconstruction efforts.



A co-chairs' statement was issued at the conclusion of the meeting. It expresses grave concern on the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and calls for efforts by the entire international community.



An action plan on 15 major areas of support, including health, housing, and debris management, was also released.



The conference on support for Palestine was launched in 2013 with Japan's initiative. The last ministerial-level meeting was held in 2018.