Quad nations announce major port partnership for Fiji

Fiji is set to become the first Pacific Island nation to benefit from a significant new Quad-led port infrastructure initiative. The announcement came during the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, where ministers from the United States, Australia, Japan, and India unveiled a series of measures to bolster cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

The "Quad Ports of the Future Partnership" will launch its pilot project in Fiji, an initiative Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong described as the Quad's strongest commitment yet to the Pacific. Wong emphasized that the project will deliver resilient, high-quality port infrastructure in collaboration with Fiji and in direct response to the region's priorities. "It’s a practical demonstration of our collective ability to deliver high-quality, resilient infrastructure in partnership with the region and in response to Pacific priorities," she stated.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Fiji's role as the inaugural country for this joint port infrastructure endeavor. He noted that insufficient port capacity remains a persistent challenge for many Pacific Island nations, positioning the Fiji initiative as a potential blueprint for future regional cooperation. The Quad nations also reaffirmed their dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific, pledging to work closely with the Fijian government on port development and related activities.

Beyond port infrastructure, the Quad also confirmed plans to connect all Pacific Islands Forum countries, including Fiji, via undersea cable systems by 2026, aiming to enhance secure and reliable digital connectivity. Ministers underscored the escalating importance of the Indo-Pacific region for global trade, maritime commerce, and economic security. India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar highlighted the region's growing economic significance, while Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi reiterated the Quad's commitment to building resilience and ensuring nations can chart their own futures.

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We are also today announcing the strongest ever commitment from the Quad to the Pacific through the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, where we are launching a pilot for port infrastructure in Fiji, and I was in Fiji just a couple of weeks ago, and I know how important this will be to that country. It’s a practical demonstration of our collective ability to deliver high-quality, resilient infrastructure in partnership with the region and in response to Pacific priorities.