The White House has announced that President Joe Biden is set to visit Papua New Guinea during his upcoming trip to the Indo-Pacific region this month, which marks the first time that a sitting US president will visit the Pacific country.

According to Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, the visit will occur between the President's stops in Japan and Australia, and she emphasized the importance of the partnership between the US and Pacific Island nations.

During his visit, President Biden is expected to meet with Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape, along with other Pacific Island Forum leaders.

The primary focus of their discussions will be on finding ways to enhance cooperation on issues critical to the region and the US, including the fight against climate change, the protection of maritime resources, and the advancement of resilient and inclusive economic growth.

As China's influence in the region continues to grow, the US is focused on building stronger partnerships in the Indo-Pacific area, with the upcoming trip of President Joe Biden to Papua New Guinea being part of that effort.

The US government has been working to enhance its engagement with Pacific Island nations, such as establishing new embassies in Kiribati, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands.

Following his visit to Papua New Guinea, Biden will attend the G7 Leaders' Summit in Japan and then the Quad Leaders' Summit in Australia, where he will join leaders from India, Japan, and Australia.