The 6th Quad Summit

The 6th Quad Summit

• The 6th Quad Summit was recently held in Delaware, USA. This was the fourth in-person Quad Leaders’ Summit.
• The Quad is spearheading ambitious projects to help partners combat pandemics and disease, combat the threat of climate change, strengthen cyber security, etc.

Highlights of the 6th Quad Summit:

Health:

• The Quad Health Security Partnership (QHSP)
• QHSP was launched by the Quad in 2023 to enhance health security coordination in the Indo-Pacific region.
• New initiatives like Quad Cancer Moonshot have been announced for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Pandemic Preparedness:

• The United States has committed more than US $84.5 million to enhance infectious disease prevention and response capabilities in fourteen Indo-Pacific countries.

The maritime security:

Friendship:

• The Quad has launched the Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific Region (MAITRI) to enhance regional maritime security capabilities.
• The Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) was launched in 2022 to improve maritime security and check illegal activities.

Indo-Pacific Logistics Network:

• In order to improve airlift capability for rapid disaster response in the Indo-Pacific region, the Quad has launched a logistics network aimed at bringing efficiency in civilian responses.

Coast Guard Cooperation:

• Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission planned for the first time by 2025 to enhance interoperability.

Development of quality infrastructure:

The principles of digital infrastructure:

• The Quad has established principles for the development of digital public infrastructure with a focus on security and inclusivity.

Future Quad Ports Partnership:

• It aims to support the development of conducive port infrastructure and enhance regional connectivity in the Indo-Pacific region.
• In 2025, the Quad partners aim to hold the first Regional Ports and Transport Conference in Mumbai.

Undersea Cable and Digital Connectivity:

• The Quad partners have committed more than US $140 million for undersea cable projects that aim to provide primary telecommunications connectivity to all Pacific Island countries by 2025.
• Australia launched the Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre in July 2024.

Quad Infrastructure Fellowship:

• It aims to improve the capacity of the entire region and upgrade professional networks to optimize, manage and attract investment in infrastructure projects.

Important and Emerging Technologies:

Open Radio Access Network (RAN) and 5G:

• In the year 2023, the Quad has launched its first Open RAN in Palau which aims to build a secure telecommunications ecosystem with an investment of about US $20 million.
• The Quad aims to support the ongoing Open RAN trials in the Philippines and the Asia Open RAN Academy.

AI-Engage initiative (2023):

• Through Advancing Innovations to Empower Next-Generation Agriculture (AI-ENGAGE), Quad governments are advancing leading collaborative research to use artificial intelligence and robotics to empower next-generation agriculture.

Bioexplore initiative:

• It aims to use AI in studying biological ecosystems for disease diagnosis, crop adaptation and innovation in clean energy solutions.

Semiconductors:

• Quad leaders have finalized a Memorandum of Cooperation to facilitate cooperation in addressing semiconductor supply chain risks.

QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY:

Quad Investors Network (QUIN), a not-for-profit initiative, highlights ways in which the quantum ecosystems of the Quad countries can collectively work together to leverage capital and expertise.

Climate Change and Clean Energy:

Advanced early warning systems:

• The United States will provide 3D-printed weather stations to assist Pacific Island countries, while Australia and Japan are improving regional disaster risk reduction efforts.
• Japan is also enhancing cooperation with Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Climate Adaptation Initiative.
• The Quad Clean Energy Supply Chain Diversification Program (2023):
• It aims to support the development of secure and diverse clean energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region.
• India has committed to invest US $2 million for new solar projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar and Seychelles.

Cyber Security:

• The Quad has developed the Quad Action Plan for Securing Commercial Maritime Telecommunications Cables to underscore the Quad’s shared vision for future digital connectivity, global commerce and prosperity.
• The Quad, through its Anti-Disinformation Working Group, is working together to promote a conducive information ecosystem by supporting media freedom and addressing foreign information manipulation and interference.

Space:

• Quad partners are oriented towards sharing expertise and experience in Space Situational Awareness (SSA), thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability of the space sector.

The fight against terrorism:

• The Quad leaders discussed terrorist threats and best practices for countering terrorism, and ways to work together to reduce terrorist-related acts through information sharing and strategic messaging.
• The Quad Counterterrorism Working Group (CTWG) is currently focused on countering the use of unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear devices (CBRN), and the Internet for terrorist purposes.

People-to-People Initiative:

• India has announced a new initiative to provide fifty Quad Scholarships worth US $500,000 to students from the Indo-Pacific in order to complete a 4-year undergraduate engineering program at a technical institute funded by the Government of India.
• Quad Principles for Development and Deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure:
• It has been announced by the Quad countries that a framework has been created for the creation and use of digital infrastructure that is inclusive, transparent and based on democratic values.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI):

• This described as a set of shared digital systems that are secure, reliable and interoperable.
• They are created and used by the public and private sector to provide equitable access and improve public service delivery on a large scale.

Quad Principles for DPI:

• The Quad reaffirmed the following principles for the development and implementation of DPI.

Inclusion:

• Removing barriers, ensuring end-to-end access and avoiding algorithmic bias to empower end users.

Interoperability:

• Use transparent standards for interoperability considering legal and technical constraints.

Scalability:

• Designing systems to manage unexpected demand growth or expansion.

Security and Privacy:

• Integrating privacy-enhancing technologies and security features to protect and optimize personal data.

Governance for public benefit:

• To ensure that systems are secure, reliable and transparent to promote competition, inclusion and data protection.

Stability:

• Ensuring continued operations through adequate financing and technical support.

Protection of Intellectual Property:

• Protect intellectual property rights based on the existing legal framework.

Sustainable development:

• Aligning systems with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Quad:

• Quad or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan and the United States.
• It focuses on stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and promotes a “free, open and prosperous” conducive environment.

The purpose of the Quad:

• The Quad aims to address regional challenges including health security, climate change, infrastructure, technology, cyber security, humanitarian assistance, maritime security, countering disinformation and terrorism.

Origins of the Quad:

• The Quad originated because of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, where four countries provided humanitarian assistance.
• Formally established in 2007 by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the group became inactive due to China’s reactions, especially after Australia pulled out of it in 2008.
• It was revived in 2017 amid a shift in regional attitudes towards China’s influence, culminating with its first formal summit in 2021.

The possibility of expansion:

• The “Quad-Plus” meetings have included nations such as South Korea, New Zealand and Vietnam, indicating the possibility of future expansion.

Conclusion:

• Quad is dedicated to enhancing health security against pandemics, combating climate change and strengthening cyber security. By fostering cooperation and innovation in these critical areas, the Quad aims to ensure an open and prosperous Indo-Pacific that contributes to global stability and sustainable development.