Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III convened on November 21 in Vientiane, Laos PDR. This marked the first meeting between these defense leaders.
The group expressed a mutual commitment to promoting "a vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific," emphasizing the respect for international law and sovereignty. The discussions centered around enhancing multilateral cooperation to support regional security and stability.
They also highlighted the significance of ASEAN centrality and unity within an ASEAN-led regional framework. The defense ministers acknowledged progress in strengthening their collaborative efforts and confirmed their dedication to continue working together.
