US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during talks in Australia (Photo: Reuters)

In Australia, Blinken attended the fourth Quad Foreign Ministers Ministerial Meeting, hosted by Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne.  Topics of the meeting included cooperation on COVID-19 vaccination delivery, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber security, countering disinformation, climate change, and critical and emerging technologies.

Secretary Blinken will meet with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Japan, and India, and other senior officials to discuss a range of bilateral and global issues.  

In Fiji on Saturday, Blinken will meet with Pacific Island leaders to discuss the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, disaster assistance, and ways to further a shared commitment to democracy, regional solidarity, and prosperity in the Pacific.

In Honolulu, Hawaii, Blinken will host the Foreign Ministers of Japan and South Korea at a trilateral ministerial meeting to deepen cooperation in addressing threats from North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and confronting 21st century challenges around the globe.