Japan's Security / Peace & Stability of the International Community
Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers' Meeting
On September 23, commencing at 9:40 a.m. (EDT, at 10:40 p.m. JST), for approximately 50 minutes, Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held. The overview of the meeting is as follows. Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, during his visit to New York, the United States, to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Honorable Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia, and H.E. Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India attended the meeting. After the meeting, Joint Readout, Fact Sheet on “Guidelines for Quad Partnership on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) in the Indo-Pacific,” and a statement on ransomware were released.
- After frank discussions on regional issues in the Indo-Pacific, the four Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to realize a "free and open Indo-Pacific.” They also reaffirmed that the Quad’s vision is for the Indo-Pacific where the rules-based international order is upheld, and where the principles of freedom, rule of law, democratic values, peaceful settlement of disputes, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are respected, and that they strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo. Minister Hayashi explained Japan's basic positions on the East and South China Seas, Taiwan, North Korea, and other issues. Minister Hayashi also asked for the understanding and cooperation of each country toward the immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese abductees, and gained their support.
- Regarding the United Nations, Minister Hayashi explained that the international order is wavering and the international community faces global challenges such as pandemics, food and energy security, and climate change, and he reiterated the importance of the vision and principles of the UN. The four ministers reaffirmed their unwavering support for the UN Charter and concurred to advance a comprehensive UN reform agenda including the UN Security Council reform.
- Regarding cooperation with ASEAN, Minister Hayashi stressed the importance of supporting ASEAN unity and centrality and of concrete cooperation for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). The four Ministers also reaffirmed their unwavering support for ASEAN unity and centrality.
- The four Ministers reaffirmed that the Quad’s cooperation is to advance practical initiatives for the benefit of the people of the Indo-Pacific. At the beginning of the meeting, the Ministers signed “Guidelines for Quad Partnership on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) in the Indo-Pacific” which clearly define the commitment of the four countries to cooperate in disaster response.
- The four Ministers confirmed their commitment to addressing the global threat of ransomware as part of the Quad’s practical efforts, and issued a statement.
- The four Ministers concurred to hold the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi in early 2023.
