Tokyo: The summit among U.S, Japanese and South Korean leaders to be held near Washington later this month will mark a “strategic shift,” U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said Wednesday.

The strengthening of trilateral cooperation through the summit “is going to be one of the most significant political, diplomatic capstones and will signify, I think, a strategic shift in the region,” Emanuel said in an interview with Jiji Press.

It will be the first dedicated meeting for the leaders of the United States, Japan, and South Korea, who have gathered only on the sidelines of international conferences.

U.S. President Joe Biden will host the three-way summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol at the Camp David presidential retreat near Washington on Aug. 18.

The summit will mark “the inauguration of an annual meeting by the three leaders,” Emanuel said, stressing that the Camp David session will be “historic.”

The three leaders are expected to release two documents, namely an overarching document and a normal communique, he said, adding that both national security and economic security will be mentioned.

Among the expected agenda items are North Korea including its nuclear development program, extended deterrence including the U.S. nuclear umbrella and the reconstruction of supply chains for strategic goods.

This is the first time for Biden to invite foreign leaders to Camp David.

Camp David has “rich history” and is an “intimate place,” Emanuel said, referring to historic events that happened there, including a meeting during World War II between then U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and then British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Emanuel also said that “the United States has a long-standing policy to support Japan” in its efforts to resolve the issue of past abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea.

Kishida aims to realize a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for resolving the abduction issue.

JIJI Press