US President Joe Biden embarked on a historic visit to the Amazon rainforest, becoming the first sitting president to do so, to highlight his climate change policies amid concerns over the potential reversal by President-elect Donald Trump.

Biden landed in Manaus, Brazil, where he plans to fly over the rainforest, visit a local museum, and meet with Indigenous and local leaders committed to preserving the Amazon.

His visit follows the announcement that the United States has increased its annual bilateral climate financing to $11 billion, making it the largest provider globally.

The Amazon rainforest is crucial in combating climate change due to its capacity to absorb carbon dioxide but faces threats from worsened wildfires, deforestation, and environmental degradation.

President Biden’s visit occurs as Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pledges to stop illegal deforestation by 2030.

Meanwhile, Trump has nominated climate change skeptic Chris Wright as energy secretary, alarming experts who fear a rollback of climate progress.

Biden's trip concludes in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 summit, following a summit in Peru where Chinese President Xi Jinping garnered significant attention.

Trump's campaign has underscored a focus on fossil fuel extraction, with potential implications for future climate agreements like the Paris Agreement.