"We express our deep concern over the war raging in Ukraine and mourn its terrible and tragic humanitarian consequences. We underscore the need for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law, consistent with the principles of the UN Charter. We are deeply concerned about the global food security situation and support the efforts of the UN in the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI). In the context of this war, we concur that the use, or threat of use, of nuclear weapons would be unacceptable. We underscore that the rules-based international order must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states," stated the readout.
This comes after the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Summit held earlier this month in which Ukraine's terroritorial integrity and sovereignty was mentioned in the joint declaration.
During the meeting, the Quad reaffirmed its commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.
"We recommit to advancing the vision Quad leaders articulated in Hiroshima on 20 May 2023: a region that is peaceful and prosperous, stable and secure, free from intimidation and coercion, and where disputes are settled in accordance with international law. We strongly support the principles of freedom, the rule of law, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes; and oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo. We seek to maintain and strengthen stability in the Indo-Pacific, where competition is managed responsibly," reads the joint statement of Quad Foreign Ministers group.
"Good to join my fellow Quad foreign ministers from Australia, India, and Japan on the sidelines of #UNGA78. The Quad is vital to our shared vision for a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific, and together we reaffirmed our commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the @UN Charter," said Blinken.
Like all other previous meetings, the Quad countries this time too came down heavily on Myanmar's military rulers and asked for "immediate cessation of violence" there.
"We remain deeply concerned by the political, humanitarian, and economic crisis in Myanmar and again call for the immediate cessation of violence, the release of all those unjustly detained, unhindered humanitarian assistance, resolution of the crisis through constructive dialogue, and a return to Myanmar’s transition towards inclusive federal democracy," the ministers said.
They added, "We are also concerned with the implications of the ongoing situation in Myanmar on neighboring countries including a rise in transnational crime such as drug and human trafficking. We reaffirm our strong support to ASEAN-led efforts and the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. We also continue to encourage the international community to work together in a pragmatic and constructive way to support an end to the violence in Myanmar."
Slamming North Korea's destabilising launches utilising ballistic missile technology, as well as its persistent pursuit of nuclear weapons in defiance of successive UN Security Council resolutions, the Quad foreign ministers stated: "We reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea consistent with UNSCRs, and we urge North Korea to abide by all its obligations under the UNSCRs and engage in substantive dialogue."
They also said, We stress the importance of addressing proliferation of nuclear and missile technologies related to North Korea in the region and beyond and urge all UN Member States to abide by the related UNSCRs including the prohibition on the transfer to North Korea or procurement from North Korea of all arms and related materiel. We reconfirm the necessity of immediate resolution of the abductions issue."