Australia-Japan-United States Trilateral Defense Ministers’ Meeting November 2024 Joint Statement
17 November 2024
The Trilateral Defense Ministers’ Meeting (TDMM) among Australia, Japan, and the United States was held in [City, Country] on 17 November 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by Australian Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada, and United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.
The Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific region, based on the rule of law, respect for sovereignty, and peaceful resolution of disputes. They emphasized the importance of maintaining and strengthening their trilateral partnership to address common security challenges and promote regional stability.
The Ministers welcomed Japan’s adoption of the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy, and the Defense Buildup Plan, which significantly enhance Japan’s defense capabilities and contribute to regional security. They also welcomed Australia’s AUKUS partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States and the progress made under this initiative, particularly in the areas of nuclear-powered submarines, advanced capabilities, and industrial cooperation.
The Ministers discussed a range of regional and global security issues, including:
- The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK): The Ministers condemned the DPRK’s continued development and testing of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. They reiterated their strong commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner and called on the DPRK to fully comply with all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs).
- The South China Sea: The Ministers expressed their deep concern over the escalation of tensions in the South China Sea. They emphasized the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight, and urged all parties to refrain from provocative actions and resolve disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Taiwan: The Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They expressed their support for Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and called for the resolution of cross-Strait issues through peaceful dialogue.
- Climate change: The Ministers recognized the growing security implications of climate change and agreed to cooperate on addressing these challenges, including through joint exercises, capacity building, and disaster relief.
The Ministers also discussed the importance of enhanced trilateral cooperation in the following areas:
- Information sharing: The Ministers agreed to strengthen information sharing and cooperation on emerging security threats, including cyber threats, hybrid warfare, and space security.
- Joint exercises and training: The Ministers committed to increasing the frequency and complexity of trilateral exercises and training to enhance interoperability and readiness.
- Defense technology cooperation: The Ministers welcomed the progress made in defense technology cooperation, particularly in the area of advanced capabilities development. They agreed to explore new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and autonomous systems.
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief: The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to providing prompt and effective humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the region.
The Ministers welcomed the adoption of the Trilateral Interoperability Framework (TIF), which provides a roadmap for enhancing trilateral interoperability and cooperation in the defense domain. They also noted the progress made in developing the Trilateral Contingency Plan, which will guide trilateral responses to regional security contingencies.
The Ministers committed to regular consultations and cooperation to further strengthen their trilateral partnership and promote a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Endorsed by:
- Australian Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Richard Marles
- Japanese Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada
- United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III
Australia-Japan-United States Trilateral Defense Ministers’ Meeting November 2024 Joint Statement
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