Quad Foreign Ministers Issue Joint Release: Over $85 Million to Support Trusted Super Intelligence Access Across the Indo-Pacific

The U.S. Secretary of State and the foreign ministers of Australia, India and Japan released a joint press release after meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 31, 2026, reviewing progress on Quad initiatives and reaffirming their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The release is the outcome document issued after the Quad foreign ministers' meeting held earlier the same day.

The ministers underscored the importance of economic security in maintaining global stability and prosperity, and reiterated their commitment to building reliable and open global supply chains and trusted and resilient infrastructure. They expressed grave concern regarding economic coercion, including arbitrary export restrictions, as well as non-market policies and practices that result in overcapacity and disrupt global supply chains in critical industries. Recognizing the importance of critical sea lanes, the uninterrupted flow of commerce, energy security, and the unhindered passage and safety of maritime crews and vessels without the imposition of tolls, they reiterated the absolute necessity of protecting and preserving navigational rights and freedoms in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in accordance with international law as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

On technology, the ministers highlighted the importance of Super Intelligence (SI) and initiatives like Pax Silica to the future of economic growth, and expressed their intent to provide over $85 million in technical and financial assistance to support access to trusted SI across the Indo-Pacific, including through the Quad SI Accelerator. A footnote to the statement notes that in Australia, India and Japan, 'Super Intelligence' refers to artificial intelligence.

The ministers expressed deep concern about the proliferation of online and cyber scams, which they said threaten national and international peace and security. They condemned the criminal groups running scam operations that traffic people and force them to defraud the four countries' citizens, stealing tens of billions of dollars annually in hard-earned wealth, and committed to dismantling these operations and holding transnational criminal groups and their leaders accountable.

On critical minerals, the statement said that under the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework announced in May 2026, the four countries have strengthened cooperation on critical mineral supply chains, working together to recover critical minerals from electronic waste and scrap materials to reduce reliance on any single supplier. They welcomed private sector-led investment in waste collection networks, processing plants and refineries, and welcomed the U.S. commitment to provide $10 million to promote infrastructure and facilities in India and ASEAN countries that recover critical minerals from waste.

The statement listed further initiative progress: the Quad convened the first-ever Quad Fuel Security Forum in September to advance fuel security in the Indo-Pacific, including by strengthening strategic petroleum reserves; Quad countries are working with the Government of Fiji on infrastructure modernization for key ports at Suva, Lautoka and Rokobili, with the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation supporting a Port Strategic Development Framework and Australia assessing the feasibility of a new transshipment port facility; the Quad has provided more than 2,000 infrastructure fellowships across the Pacific, Southeast Asia and South Asia; the ministers announced the first-ever Quad Business Leaders' Forum, and Quad export credit agencies will convene in Tokyo on November 18 to identify opportunities for practical cooperation.

On maritime and transnational security, the second Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer mission sailed from Chennai, India, to Perth, Australia, from September 25 to October 7 aboard an Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel with representatives from all four countries; the Quad looks forward to its first exercise under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration initiative at Sea Dragon 2027, and to the first Quad Maritime Domain Awareness Track 1.5 Symposium under the Quad Maritime Training Initiative (MAITRI) in early 2027. The statement also covered trusted communications networks, semiconductor and SI hardware supply chains, digital identity standards and cyber security cooperation.

On humanitarian assistance, the ministers expressed condolences for those who lost their lives in the flash floods of August 26, 2026, underscored their shared commitment to supporting partners in times of need, and recognized India's leading role as first responder to Nepal's rescue along with significant support from all Quad countries. Australia, Japan and the United States will send observers to India's Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise (AJHE-26) in November, and the four countries have made progress on shared logistics capabilities, including the second Indo-Pacific Logistics Network tabletop exercise hosted by Japan's Ministry of Defense in September.

The ministers said they look forward to the convening of the Quad Leaders' Summit, the next Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and continuing engagements that advance peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Related: Rubio Meets Indo-Pacific Quad Foreign Ministers in Atlanta, Preparing for Manila Leaders' Summit Next Month

Related: G20 Foreign Ministers Issue Chair's Statement: Energy Must Be Abundant and Affordable, and Food Supply Chains Must Not Be Weaponized

Source: GSM, America

Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 图：2026年10月31日，美国国务卿鲁比奥在亚特兰大二十国集团外长会期间主持印太四方外长会晤，美方席位后方立有美国、澳大利亚、印度与日本国旗。美国国务院官方照片，公共领域，经Wikimedia Commons。 / U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio chairs the Indo-Pacific Quad foreign ministers' meeting during the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta on October 31, 2026, with the flags of the United States, Australia, India and Japan behind the U.S. delegation. Official U.S. Department of State photo, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

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