Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to embark on an official visit to the United States from October 23 to 26, marking his first visit to the U.S. since winning the election last year.

This visit comes amid heightened concerns about China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region and will address key topics including the AUKUS security pact, climate change, and critical minerals, according to a statement released by Albanese’s office on Thursday.

The leaders of the two nations are expected to hold discussions on a wide range of issues, with the AUKUS security deal taking center stage. The landmark pact has brought Australia and the U.S. closer together, with Australia committing to purchasing U.S. Virginia-class submarines and investing billions in the expansion of American shipyards. The deal is viewed as a significant step in reinforcing security ties between the two countries and countering the regional influence of China.

Addressing the press, Prime Minister Albanese emphasized the importance of his upcoming visit in furthering the collaboration between Australia and the United States. “My visit is an important opportunity to discuss our ambitious climate and clean energy transition, and shared goal of a strong, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Albanese stated in the official statement.

Commitment

The trip also signifies the mutual commitment of both nations to an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, as highlighted in a statement released by the White House on Wednesday. The visit aims to underscore the strategic importance of the U.S.-Australia alliance in maintaining regional stability and security.

Originally, President Joe Biden had planned to travel to Sydney in May for a meeting of the Quad, a regional grouping comprised of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. However, the plans were postponed due to debt ceiling negotiations in Washington. Instead, the leaders of the Quad countries convened on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May.

In addition to his U.S. visit, Albanese has also received an invitation to visit Beijing. However, the details of the potential trip to China have not yet been finalized.