Quad Foreign Ministers Reaffirm Commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific

• 23 Sep 2023

On 22^nd September, 2023, the Foreign Ministers of the Quad nations – Australia, India, Japan, and the United States – convened in New York during the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, where they underscored their dedication to a "free and open Indo-Pacific."

Key Points

• Common Ground Reinforced: During the meeting, the four top diplomats reemphasized their shared objectives and assessed the progress of the Quad's ongoing initiatives.
• Initiatives like the Quad Infrastructure Fellowships Program and the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience were discussed.
• Secure Telecommunications Network: Efforts to develop a secure and trustworthy telecommunications network were addressed.
• Maritime Domain Awareness: The ministers discussed the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, designed to assist regional countries in combating illegal maritime activities and responding to climate-related events.
• Counter-terrorism: Counter-terrorism efforts were among the topics of discussion, reflecting the Quad's commitment to regional security.
• Geopolitical Crises: The ministers addressed various geopolitical crises, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Myanmar, as well as North Korea's ballistic missile launches.