By Paul Osborne in Canberra

TRADE, climate and the digital economy are expected to be key topics for Anthony Albanese at the APEC summit in San Francisco.

The prime minister will head to the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation leaders’ meeting on Wednesday.

Hosted by US President Joe Biden, the theme of the summit is “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All”.

One of the most closely watched aspects of the summit will be Mr Biden’s meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping, their second in-person since the US president took office in January 2021.

The two leaders are expected to discuss what the White House described as “advancing the ball” on military-to-military communications with China, as well as the Israel-Hamas war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Albanese recently noted the Chinese president’s participation in APEC and said talks with Mr Biden would be important.

“What we need to do is to have more dialogue and discussion because out of that comes greater understanding and it can also avoid mistakes.”

This year marks 30 years since US president Bill Clinton hosted the first APEC leaders’ meeting, at Blake Island, Washington.

Mr Clinton also began the colourful tradition of providing the leaders with themed clothing, handing out bomber jackets to his colleagues.

The 21 APEC member economies account for nearly 40 per cent of the global population, almost half of global trade, and 60 per cent of global GDP.

The leaders are expected to discuss trade and investment, the digital economy, health, gender equity and equality, clean energy and climate, anti-corruption and food security.

The US is pressing for APEC-wide action on mitigating emissions in the transport sector, including cleaner fuels in the aviation and maritime industries, and leading the world on adopting zero-emissions vehicles.

However, it will not be smooth sailing for Mr Albanese as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called on him to cancel to trip to deal with pressing domestic issues.

Mr Dutton said the prime minister should instead convene a meeting with premiers and chief ministers to discuss growing anti-Semitism and civil unrest in Australia, amid the escalating conflict in Gaza.

The Liberal leader also called for Mr Albanese to address security concerns in the wake of criminals being released into the community following a High Court decision on immigration detention.

“The foreign minister can represent the prime minister at APEC,” Mr Dutton said.

Leaders are also expected to discuss progress on the 14-nation Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which involves Australia.

The IPEF covers four pillars of work: trade, supply chains, clean energy and tax.

APEC’s members are: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, NZ, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.