"We stand as one."

This is how US President Joseph Biden described the historic trilateral agreement between the US, the Philippines, and Japan as the three countries' leaders vowed to work together to build a better future for the Indo-Pacific Region.

Biden said this as he hosted President Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in the White House for their first three-way summit on Thursday, April 11.

In his remarks, Biden said the “new era of partnership” between the three countries is anchored on building a free, open, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific Region.

"When we stand as one, we’re able to forge a better future for all," he said.

"That’s what this new trilateral is all about, in my view. Building a better future for people crossing the Pacific, and quite frankly beyond around the world," he added.

President Marcos echoed his American counterpart's sentiments, the trilateral meeting was “bound by a shared vision and pursuit of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific” amid challenges to the international rules-based order.

He added that the meeting was an opportunity for the three leaders to define the future they want, and how they intend to achieve it as one.

"Facing the complex challenges of our time requires concerted efforts on everyone’s part, a dedication to a common purpose, and unwavering commitment to the rules-based international order. This is a meeting that looks ahead," Marcos said.

"We seek to identify ways of growing our economies and making them more resilient, climate-proofing our cities and our societies, sustaining our development progress, and forging a peaceful world for the next generation," he added.

For his part, Prime Minister Kishida said the Japanese government remains committed to further strengthening its ties with the US and the Philippines and vowed full cooperation for peace and stability in the region.

“In order to secure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, I hope to reaffirm our intention to further strengthen trilateral cooperation and to present the specific way forward through today’s meeting,” he said.

The meeting was attended by their respective Ministers in Foreign Affairs, Defense, Trade and Energy.

Aside from giving their commitment to defense and maritime cooperation, the US and Japan also expressed their full adherence to helping the Philippines advance its efforts to address climate change and boost the economy to create industries and more jobs for Filipinos.

The diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the US were formally established on July 4, 1946, while the Philippines and Japan marked 67 years of normalized relations since July 23, 1956, and forged a strategic partnership in 2011.