Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has completed his twelfth official visit to the Indo-Pacific region, engaging in various high-level meetings and discussions aimed at enhancing regional security cooperation.
During his visit, Secretary Austin participated in the Australia-U.S.-Japan Trilateral Defense Ministers' Meeting alongside Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen. The meeting resulted in initiatives to expand trilateral cooperation, with Japan set to increase its involvement in joint military activities starting with Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2025.
In the Philippines, Secretary Austin met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., reaffirming the U.S.-Philippines alliance. A groundbreaking ceremony for a new Combined Coordination Center (CCC) was held, and a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed to enhance information sharing.
Secretary Austin also attended the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Plus in Laos, where he announced a Department of Defense Vision Statement for Southeast Asia and a second ASEAN-United States Maritime Exercise planned for 2025. He emphasized U.S. support for ASEAN centrality and convened a meeting with defense leaders from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea.
The final stop was Fiji, marking the first visit by a U.S. Secretary of Defense to the nation. Secretary Austin met with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and other key officials, signing an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and initiating negotiations on a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
The nine-day trip underscores ongoing efforts by the Department of Defense to bolster peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through collaboration with allies and partners.
