U.S. President Joe Biden met with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on March 12 in Washington, D.C., for the first leaders’ meeting under the Quadrilateral Dialogue (Quad) mechanism. The leaders also published a joint article in the Washington Post on March 13 entitled “Our Four Nations Committed to a Free, Open, Secure and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region.
The leaders said, “In December 2004, the continental shelf off the coast of Indonesia shifted by two meters, creating one of the largest tidal waves in modern history and creating an almost unprecedented humanitarian crisis around the Indian Ocean. With millions of people displaced and hundreds of thousands killed, the Indo-Pacific region sounded a clarion call for help. Four of our nations have come together to answer that call. Australia, India, Japan and the United States, a group of democracies committed to achieving results through pragmatic cooperation, coordinated rapid humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts to people in need. Our cooperation, known as the ‘Quadripartite Dialogue,’ was born out of the crisis. It became a diplomatic dialogue in 2007 and was given a new lease of Life in 2017.”
According to the article, “Now, in this new era of interconnectedness and opportunity across the Indo-Pacific region, we are once again called to act together to support a region in need. Since the tsunami, climate change has become more dangerous, new technologies have revolutionized our daily lives, geopolitics have become more complex, and a pandemic has devastated the world. Against this backdrop, we recommit ourselves to a shared vision of a free, open, resilient and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. We are working to ensure that the Indo-Pacific region is accessible and dynamic, governed by international law and the fundamental principles of freedom of navigation and the peaceful settlement of disputes, and that all nations can make their own political choices without coercion. In recent years, this vision has been increasingly tested. These tests have only strengthened our resolve to work together to address the most pressing global challenges.”
The article continues, “Our governments have worked closely together for years, and on Friday, for the first Time in the history of the ‘Quadripartite Dialogue,’ we met as leaders to advance meaningful cooperation at the highest level. To reinforce our quest for an open and free region, we agreed to collaborate on the challenges posed by new technologies and to cooperate on norms and standards to guide future innovation. Clearly, climate change is both a strategic priority and an urgent global challenge, including for the Indo-Pacific region. That’s why we will work with others to strengthen the Paris Agreement and reinforce climate action in all countries. We are steadfast in our commitment to the health and safety of our people, and we are determined to end the New Crown pandemic, because no country will be safe as long as the pandemic continues.”
According to the article, “This Epidemic is one of the greatest threats to health and economic stability in recent history, and we must work cooperatively to stop its spread. Now, we are launching an ambitious effort to help eradicate the new crown epidemic. Together, we are committed to expanding and accelerating the production of safe, accessible and effective vaccines in India. We will collaborate at every stage to ensure vaccine distribution throughout the Indo-Pacific region through 2022. We will combine our scientific acumen, funding, strong production capacity and long-term global health partnerships to work closely with multilateral organizations, including the World Health Organization and the ‘New Crown Pneumonia Vaccine Implementation Program’ (COVAX) Fund, to increase the supply of life-saving vaccines. “
Our vaccine initiative will be guided by a four-nation working group of vaccine experts that brings together the sharpest scientific leaders from Australia, India, Japan and the United States to address the region’s urgent needs,” the article states. Although the pandemic prevents us from meeting in person, we will meet before the end of 2021. The commitments we make today must be translated into a healthier and more prosperous tomorrow for the Indo-Pacific region. We are proud to announce these bold steps and eager to begin the work that our countries must do to achieve them. Ending and recovering from the pandemic, addressing climate change, and advancing our shared regional vision will be no easy task.”
The article states, “We know that we cannot and will not succeed without coordination and cooperation. We will renew and strengthen our partnerships in Southeast Asia, starting with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, working with the Pacific islands, and engaging the Indian Ocean region for this moment. The ‘Quadripartite Dialogue’ is a flexible group of like-minded partners committed to advancing a common vision to ensure peace and prosperity. We welcome and will seek opportunities to work with all parties who share these goals.”
The leaders of the four nations said, “Each of us has been saddened by the suffering of our people and the world over the past few months. But in this dark time, our partnership provides a spark of hope to light the way forward. Our democratic foundations and commitment to engagement unite us. We know that we can provide for the security and prosperity of our people at Home by responding to global crises together with purpose and determination. We draw from tragedy to evoke unity and the strength and resilience to overcome adversity. We recommit ourselves to an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, secure and prosperous.”
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