The Foreign Ministers of India, Japan, Australia and the US. (Photo: Reuters)

They made the pledge in a joint statement commemorating the 20th anniversary of "Quad cooperation". The grouping was created in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

According to the statement, Quad countries now work together and with partners across the Indo-Pacific to address complex challenges, from fighting climate change, and pandemics, to bolstering maritime domain awareness, counter-terrorism efforts, critical and emerging technologies, and cyber security.  

The first in-person Quad Leaders' Summit took place in Washington DC in 2021.