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Singapore's Prime Minister will fly to Australia next month for talks with Anthony Albanese where the pair is expected to sign a new "green economy agreement".
- It will be Lee Hsien Loong's first meeting with Mr Albanese since the Australian's election win
- He will visit Sydney and Canberra for the annual leaders' talks
- They are expected to sign an agreement to streamline climate-friendly financing
Lee Hsien Loong will visit Sydney and Canberra for the annual leaders' talks, amid rising regional tensions between the US and China over Taiwan.
During their first face-to-face meeting since Anthony Albanese's election win, the prime ministers are expected to sign a new "green economy agreement" to streamline climate-friendly financing and technology development.
The yet-to-be-finalised deal aims to facilitate future renewable energy and hydrogen deals between Australian and Singaporean companies.
Mr Lee is considered a senior ASEAN leader, and has consistently argued for the West and China to find common ground rather than escalating tensions.
In Singapore last year, Mr Lee told former prime minister Scott Morrison that Australia should focus on areas of mutual interest with China, rather than ideological differences.
"You don't have to become like them, neither can you hope to make them become like you," the Singaporean PM said after their meeting.
The ABC understands Mr Lee's October 16-18 visit will also include a visit to the Australian War Memorial, as well as a meeting with New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet.
Mr Albanese is currently hosting his Papua New Guinean counterpart James Marape, and on Sunday night both men watched the Australian Prime Minister's XIII men's and women's sides defeat visiting PNG teams at Brisbane's Lang Park.
On Monday, both men will fly to Japan on board an RAAF jet for the funeral of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, along with former Australian prime ministers John Howard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull.
The international engagements come a month before Mr Albanese is scheduled to jet overseas for three consecutive foreign gatherings — the East Asia Summit in Cambodia, the G20 leaders' meeting in Bali, and APEC in Thailand.
Earlier this month, the ABC revealed planning was underway for French President Emmanuel Macron to make his second visit to Australia, sometime after he and Mr Albanese attend the G20 in Bali.