Serum Institute to support 40 million HPV vaccine doses, Quad statement says

It outlines commitments to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific, enhance regional stability, and deliver tangible benefits in areas such as health security, maritime security, and infrastructure.

Who it concerns: The agreement involves the governments of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. It affects the Indo-Pacific region, specifically mentioning partner nations in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Indian Ocean region. Specific entities named include the Serum Institute of India, the Minderoo Foundation, the Women’s Health and Empowerment Network, Gavi Vaccine Alliance, and various coast guards and border forces of the Quad nations.

What was agreed

• Launch of the 'Quad Cancer Moonshot' partnership to combat cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific.
• India commits to providing HPV sampling kits, detection kits, and cervical cancer vaccines worth $7.5 million to the region.
• India commits $10 million to the WHO’s Global Initiative on Digital Health for technical assistance on Digital Public Infrastructure.
• Australia expands the Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer Program (EPICC) with AUD 29.6 million in support.
• Japan provides medical equipment (CT and MRI scanners) and assistance worth approximately $27 million to Cambodia, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.
• Serum Institute of India, in partnership with Gavi, supports orders of up to 40 million HPV vaccine doses for the region.
• Women’s Health and Empowerment Network commits $100 million to address cervical cancer in Southeast Asia.
• Announcement of the 'Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific' (MAITRI), with India hosting the inaugural workshop in 2025.
• Launch of a first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission in 2025 involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard, Australian Border Force, and Indian Coast Guard.
• Launch of a Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project for shared airlift capacity for disaster response.
• Announcement of the 'Quad Ports of the Future Partnership' and a Quad Regional Ports and Transportation Conference to be hosted by India in Mumbai in 2025.
• U.S. announces intent to invest an additional $3.4 million to extend telecommunication training programs.
• Quad partners have committed over $140 million to undersea cable builds in the Pacific since the last summit.
• Goal for all Pacific island countries to achieve primary telecommunication cable connectivity by the end of 2025.

Also in the document

• The Serum Institute of India is named as a key non-governmental partner supporting up to 40 million HPV vaccine doses.
• India is designated to host the inaugural MAITRI maritime workshop in 2025 and the Quad Regional Ports and Transportation Conference in Mumbai in 2025.
• Specific financial commitments include India's $7.5 million for cancer kits/vaccines, Australia's AUD 29.6 million for cervical cancer programs, and Japan's ~$27 million for medical equipment.
• The statement highlights a collective commitment to undersea cable connectivity, with over $140 million committed to builds in the Pacific.