Japan-Australia-India-U.S.(Quad) Leaders’ Meeting

On May 24, commencing at 10:35 a.m. (JST) for approximately 2 hours, H.E. Mr. Kishida Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, hosted the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Leaders’ Meeting followed by a working lunch for approximately an hour, with The Honorable Anthony Albanese, MP, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, and The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States of America. The overview of the meeting is as follows. On the occasion of the meeting, Quad Joint Leaders’ Statement was released.

1. The four leaders welcomed the in-person Quad Leaders’ Meeting, following the last year’s in-person meeting. Amid the situation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which has shaken the very foundations of the international order, the four countries reconfirmed that no unilateral change of the status quo by force is tolerated in any region, especially in the Indo-Pacific, and they remain strongly committed to the realization of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

2. The four leaders candidly discussed the impact of the situation in Ukraine on the Indo-Pacific. Expressing concerns over the tragic conflict in Ukraine, the four countries affirmed that the principles including rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity must be upheld in any region.

3. The four leaders welcomed that the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific is resonating in various regions around the world, and that proactive efforts are underway in those regions, including the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Indo-Pacific strategies of the EU and European countries. They shared the view in further deepening engagement and cooperation with each country and region for the realization of this vision. They reaffirmed their unwavering support for ASEAN unity and centrality and for the practical implementation of the AOIP.

4. With regard to the situation in the Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister Kishida expressed serious concern for unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas. The four leaders also affirmed the importance of adhering to international law, in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the maintenance of freedom of navigation and overflight, to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the East and South China Seas. The four leaders strongly oppose any coercive, provocative or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo and increase tensions in the area, such as the militarization of disputed features and the dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militia. Prime Minister Kishida also stated the basic view of Japan on Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Taiwan.

5. The four leaders condemned North Korea’s destabilizing ballistic missile development in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs), and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, consistent with UNSCRs. Prime Minister Kishida also asked for each country’s understanding and cooperation toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and gained their support.

6. On the situation in Myanmar, the four leaders expressed deep concern over the current situation. They called for the immediate end to violence and the release of all political detainees, and affirmed the necessity of humanitarian access and the swift restoration of democracy. They reaffirmed support for ASEAN-led efforts, welcomed the role of Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair, and called for the urgent implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus.

7. The four leaders shared the view that the Quad is a force for good, committed to bringing tangible benefits to the region. They concurred on the importance of furthering practical cooperation and making the region more resilient as the countries of the Indo-Pacific region face pressing challenges such as COVID-19, climate change, and infrastructure.

8. On COVID-19, the four leaders welcomed the progress such as over 670 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines donation to the world, including Indo-Pacific, and joint handover ceremonies of Indian vaccines to Thailand and Cambodia. The four leaders also confirmed that they will take global leadership in the efforts for building better health security and achieving universal health coverage (UHC).

9. The four leaders affirmed their commitment to further deepen infrastructure cooperation, which is critical to driving productivity and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and announced that they will seek to extend more than 50 billion USD of infrastructure assistance and investment in the Indo-Pacific, over the next five years. They also shared the view to work to strengthen capacities of the countries in need to cope with debt issues, including the launch of a portal site to promote the use of capacity-building assistance by countries in the region.

10. On climate change, the four leaders launched the "Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP) (PDF).” They also shared the view to expand our support in climate actions such as disaster risk reduction and shipping, and to expand areas of cooperation in clean energy.

11. On critical and emerging technologies, the four leaders announced the launch of the Common Statement of Principles on Critical Technology Supply Chains (PDF). The relevant agencies of the four countries also signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation on 5G Supplier Diversification and Open RAN.

12. On cybersecurity, the four leaders launched the Quad Cybersecurity Partnership (PDF), under which they affirmed to promote concrete efforts.

13. The leaders welcomed the official launch of the Quad Fellowship and concurred to continue cooperation in the field of people to people exchange. Following the Leaders’ Meeting, an event was held to commemorate the launch of the fellowship program, attended by the four leaders.

14. On space, the four leaders concurred on the launch of a "Quad Satellite Data Portal" that provides satellite data from the four countries to help address issues such as climate change and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources in the region. They also concurred to consult on such agendas as rules, norms, and principles for the sustainable use of space and to extend support to countries in the region through joint workshops.

15. The four leaders welcomed the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) to promote the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) information sharing among the countries in the region, and concurred to initiate consultations with countries in the region.

16. To further strengthen collaboration to effectively respond to disasters in the Indo-Pacific region, the four countries announced the establishment of the "Quad Partnership on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) in the Indo-Pacific.”

17. The four leaders concurred to hold the next Leaders’ Meeting in Australia in 2023, and confirmed that they will continue to work closely together, including regular meetings by the Leaders and Foreign Ministers.