In their third in-person summit held in Hiroshima, the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, made significant strides towards fostering peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The Quad, comprising the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, reiterated their commitment to bringing enduring benefits to the region by issuing Joint Principles for Secure Software, Principles for Critical and Emerging Technology Standards, and Principles for Clean Energy Supply Chains.
Recognizing the importance of a resilient and secure software ecosystem, the Quad leaders highlighted the need for robust controls to prevent tampering with the software supply chain. In their Joint Principles for Secure Software, they emphasized the promotion of a culture where software security is integrated by design and default. By leveraging the collective strength of the Quad, they aim to establish a framework that enhances the security and trustworthiness of software systems, protecting them from adversarial and non-adversarial threats.
Additionally, the Quad leaders unveiled the Principles for Critical and Emerging Technology Standards, focusing on promoting interoperability, innovation, trust, transparency, diverse markets, and security-by-design. They stressed the importance of industry-led, consensus-based multi-stakeholder approaches to technology standards development. By prioritizing trust, transparency, openness, impartiality, and consensus, the Quad aims to facilitate the development and adoption of emerging technologies that can drive economic growth and address common challenges in the region.
Clean energy supply chains also featured prominently in the Quad Summit’s discussions. The leaders acknowledged the significance of clean and sustainable energy sources in achieving a greener future. The Principles for Clean Energy Supply Chains underscored the Quad’s commitment to enhancing the resilience, reliability, and transparency of supply chains associated with clean energy technologies. By promoting responsible and secure supply chain practices, the Quad leaders aim to accelerate the transition to clean energy and combat climate change.
Furthermore, the Quad Vaccine Partnership was expanded into the Quad Health Security Partnership, underscoring the importance of collaboration and coordination in ensuring health security across the Indo-Pacific. Recognizing the region’s role as an engine of global trade, innovation, and development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that its success and security are crucial for the entire world. He also announced India’s willingness to host the Quad Summit in 2024, signaling a continued commitment to the partnership’s objectives.
The Quad leaders’ joint efforts during the Hiroshima summit demonstrate their dedication to fostering peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The issuance of Joint Principles for Secure Software, Principles for Critical and Emerging Technology Standards, and Principles for Clean Energy Supply Chains highlights the Quad’s determination to strengthen resilience, facilitate innovation, and ensure sustainable development. By expanding their cooperation to address health security concerns and expressing their shared concerns over militarization and terrorism, the Quad leaders aim to forge a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific.