Philippines, Japan, and United States Hold Inaugural Trilateral Maritime Dialogue

TOKYO 11 December 2024 - The Philippines, Japan and the United States convened the inaugural Trilateral Maritime Dialogue on 10 December 2024 in Tokyo. 

The Philippine delegation was headed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, joined by senior officials of the Department of National Defense, National Security Council, Philippine Coast Guard, and Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

The Japanese delegation was headed by Assistant Foreign Minister for Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Mr. Nakamura Ryo, while the US delegation was headed by National Security Council Senior Director and Special Assistant to the President Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper. 

The Dialogue was a significant milestone in demonstrating the deepening cooperation of the Philippines, Japan and the US on maritime concerns, as well as their enduring commitment to uphold a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific through the rules-based international order that adheres to international law, particularly UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award. 

The three sides had open and dynamic discussions on strategic perspectives on regional maritime issues, institutionalizing trilateral cooperation, and future policy plans, among others. They emphasized that the trilateral maritime dialogue will serve as a durable foundation for coordination and cooperation in addressing challenges and complexities of the regional maritime landscape.

The inaugural Trilateral Maritime Dialogue was an outcome of the first-ever Philippines-Japan-US Trilateral Summit held last April 2024.  

At the conclusion of the dialogue, Undersecretary Lazaro announced  the Philippines' willingness to host the Second Trilateral Maritime Dialogue in 2025. END