Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Australian Secretary of Defense Greg Moriarty to continue discussions from the recent U.S.-Australia Ministerial meeting in Washington, which took place on December 8, 2025. During their meeting, both officials reaffirmed the commitment of the United States and Australia to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation aimed at promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, "Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Australian Secretary of Defense Greg Moriarty, building on the successful U.S.-Australia Ministerial meeting held in Washington on December 8, 2025. The two reaffirmed the countries’ commitment to deepening bilateral defense cooperation to promote security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Deputy Secretary Landau welcomed Australia’s continued contributions to regional security, including through its recent defense treaty with Papua New Guinea and expanded security ties with Indonesia. Both exchanged ideas on joint efforts to deepen engagement with Pacific Island countries."
The conversation included recognition of Australia's ongoing role in supporting regional security through its new defense agreement with Papua New Guinea as well as enhanced relations with Indonesia. The officials also discussed collaborative approaches for engaging more closely with Pacific Island nations.
