This summit is particularly significant as it will be the final meeting with Biden and Kishida in their current roles. Biden has announced he will not seek re-election, and Kishida has declared he will not run for re-election as leader of the Liberal Democratic Party. The summit’s discussions will cover vital topics such as health security, disaster response, maritime security, infrastructure development, emerging technologies, climate change, clean energy, and cybersecurity.
The timing of this summit is crucial given the ongoing global conflicts. The leaders will meet amid the Ukraine-Russia war, which has destabilized Europe and strained global security dynamics. The Quad‘s discussions are likely to address the broader implications of this conflict on international security and economic stability. Additionally, with the Israel-Gaza conflict continuing to unfold, the summit may explore how the Quad nations can contribute to regional stability and humanitarian relief efforts.
The Quad’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific remains a central theme. In July, Quad foreign ministers had a comprehensive meeting in Tokyo, reinforcing their dedication to countering coercion and maintaining regional balance. This included plans to expand the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) program to the Indian Ocean, enhancing surveillance and strategic oversight in crucial maritime areas.
India, originally slated to host this year’s summit, will now host the next Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2025. The change was due to scheduling conflicts with President Biden’s visit to India in September 2023 for the G20 summit and subsequent electoral cycles in both India and the US.
The Wilmington summit, therefore, represents not only a critical juncture for the Quad but also a transitional moment as new leaders prepare to take the helm. The outcomes of this meeting will set the stage for future cooperation and strategies in the Indo-Pacific, shaping the alliance’s approach to global challenges and regional security dynamics.
As Biden and Kishida prepare to step down, the future of the Quad will depend on how their successors, whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump in the U.S. and a new leader in Japan, navigate these complex global issues.