Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III recently gathered for the United States-Japan-Australia Trilateral Defense Ministers' Meeting in Hawaii. The meeting marked the thirteenth of its kind and focused on the progress and cooperation outlined in the 2023 Joint Statement.
The Ministers emphasized their commitment to promoting security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, as stated by Marles, "The Ministers are united by our shared values and determination to deepen cooperation." They reiterated their opposition to unilateral attempts by the People's Republic of China to change the status quo through force or coercion in the South and East China Seas.
Concerns were raised about North Korea's nuclear and missile development, with a strong condemnation of their actions. The Ministers also welcomed the implementation of the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement and the advancements made in trilateral defense work over the past year.
The Ministers highlighted the importance of enhancing defense cooperation, including joint exercises and information-sharing initiatives. They signed agreements to pursue advanced technologies collaboration and announced plans for a regional air and missile defense live fire exercise in 2027.
In conclusion, the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regional stability, transparency, and adherence to international rules and norms. Their shared goal is to uphold a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific while expanding the scope of defense cooperation.
