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National

Anthony Albanese champions climate commitments as he seeks closer ties with Asia

Anthony Albanese arrived in Makassar on Tuesday as part of a two-day visit to Indonesia.  (AAP: Lukas Coch)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government's approach to tackling climate change is winning Australia praise from foreign nations.

Mr Albanese, who has been in power for a fortnight, said on Tuesday every world leader who had spoken with him had praised his government's climate commitments.

"The changed policy on climate change, that my government was elected to implement, has been welcomed here in the region and by every world leader I've spoken to," he told reporters in Indonesia.

The new government pledged higher climate commitments than the former Coalition government took to the last election.

Mr Albanese is spending two days in Indonesia, where he has pledged to build a "green trade" partnership as part of the government's plan to tackle climate change. 

Mr Albanese said his government would work alongside Indonesia as it looked to reach its emission reductions targets.  

"We work with Jakarta to build a resilient clean energy sector and unlock green trade and investment opportunities because both of our countries recognise climate change is not only a problem to be solved but presents opportunities," he said in a speech to a university.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indonesian President Joko Widodo go on a bike ride.

The Prime Minister met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday as part of a bid to forge closer ties with the world's fourth most populous country.

He confirmed he would attend the G20, which Indonesia is hosting this year, even if Russian President Vladimir Putin attended. Former prime minister Scott Morrison had urged Indonesia to reject Mr Putin from attending.

Mr Albanese also used the visit to pledge an additional $470 million over four years for bilateral and regional Overseas Development Assistance programs in South-East Asia.

Australia will also offer easier access to visas.

Despite Indonesia being a close neighbour and having 270 million people, it is yet to crack into Australia's top 10 trading partners.

Business leaders travelled with Mr Albanese, along with his foreign affairs, trade and industry ministers.

The delegation will return to Australia later on Tuesday.

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