READOUT: 8th Multilateral Maritime Virtual Key Leadership Engagement

Representatives from 16 nations participated in the engagement, including six heads of navies, from countries in Southeast Asia, Oceania, Northeast Asia, South America and Indian Ocean regions.
 
The leaders focused on maritime challenges in combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF) and its threat to national security, safety, economy, and the environment.
 
They discussed the shared responsibility to combat IUUF, which affects half of the world’s population, and the increasing complexity of the environment as both non-state and state actors illegally exploit oceans’ resources. 
 
The leaders agreed on the importance of expanding cooperation between navies and coast guards, including information sharing, for interoperability and upholding good order at sea.
 
They also stressed the importance of profound partnerships in support of the sovereign rights of all nations, regardless of their size.
 
The multinational maritime engagement program underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring, resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific for the benefit of all.