JOINT STATEMENT: Australia - Japan - Philippines - United States Maritime Cooperative Acti
Collaborative maritime activity in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone aims to strengthen regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States are collaborating on a Maritime Cooperative Activity in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone to reinforce regional and international cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The activity, scheduled for April 7, 2024, will focus on upholding freedom of navigation and overflight and respecting maritime rights under international law. The goal is to strengthen the interoperability of defense and armed forces while emphasizing adherence to international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The four nations also reaffirm their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law, citing the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award as a legally binding decision. Leaders from each country expressed their dedication to working together to promote a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.