Senior officials from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met by videoconference with representatives from the foreign ministries of India, Japan and the United States on 25 September for Quad consultations on the Indo-Pacific.

Officials agreed that their governments would remain committed to supporting Indo-Pacific countries in managing the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is the region’s over-riding challenge. They also agreed their governments would work together to chart a pathway toward economic recovery in a manner that helps all countries in the region reinforce their own sovereignty and resilience. 

At the same time, pressure on the rules, norms and institutions that underpin stability in the region is becoming more acute. Quad officials committed to deepen their cooperation with each other and with regional countries in areas including maritime security, quality infrastructure investment, cyber, counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to promote a stable and resilient Indo-Pacific.

The four countries reaffirmed their strong support for ASEAN centrality, ASEAN-led architecture and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

Officials committed to continuing regular consultations, including at the senior official and ministerial levels.