| By Eliana Pisons |

A Historic Trilateral Summit

On April 11, 2024, the leaders of Japan, the United States, and the Philippines held a historic trilateral summit in Washington, DC. This marks the first summit of its kind and represents a significant step toward strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gathered to discuss mutual interests and strategies for promoting regional stability and prosperity.

Joint Vision and Commitments for Security and Stability

The trilateral summit focused on enhancing security cooperation, economic collaboration, and regional stability. The leaders signed a joint vision statement outlining their commitment to upholding international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They emphasized their stance against any unilateral actions or coercive tactics that could disrupt regional stability. The joint statement also highlighted the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the countries’ dedication to promoting peaceful resolution of disputes.

Strengthening Maritime Security and Defense Cooperation

The leaders agreed to strengthen maritime security and defense cooperation, particularly through joint military exercises and regular trilateral patrols in the South China Sea. These efforts aim to ensure freedom of navigation and overflight while maintaining an environment of peace and stability in the region.

Enhancing Economic Collaboration and Supply Chain Resilience

Economic collaboration was another key topic of discussion. The three nations aim to enhance supply chain resilience and support sustainable development initiatives. They also expressed interest in deepening economic ties through trade, investment, and technology cooperation.

Addressing China’s Influence in the Region

The summit’s outcomes represent a significant step towards countering the growing influence of China in the Indo-Pacific region. The leaders underscored the importance of maintaining a rules-based order and promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

Commitment to Ongoing Collaboration and Future Actions

Overall, the Japan-U.S.-Philippines trilateral summit showcases the three nations’ commitment to working together to address regional challenges and support a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The leaders expressed their intention to continue this collaboration through ongoing dialogues and joint actions in the future.