WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama will attend his first summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Singapore and visit other countries in the region in November, the White House said Thursday.

Spokesman Robert Gibbs confirmed that Obama would attend the 17th summit of the 21-nation APEC November 14-15.

"President Obama looks forward to working with APEC leaders to promote open trade and investment, support economic recovery and sustainable development and address key challenges facing the region and the world," Gibbs said.

He added that Singapore was also "an important partner on a range of regional and global issues."

"The president expects to visit other countries during his trip to the region," Gibbs said, without specifying which countries.

"Further announcements will be forthcoming," he said.