There is just over a week to go until Pacific Islands Forum leaders meet in Suva for what is shaping up to be one of the most significant editions of the region-wide meeting in years.
The 51st Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and related meetings, is in Suva, Fiji from 11-14 July.
The meeting will be hosted by the Government of Fiji, led by the Forum Chair, Prime Minister of Fiji Frank Bainimarama.
Pacific Islands Forum flags Photo: New Zealand Herald/Jason Oxenham
Increased geopolitical tension between China and the United States has seen a flurry of diplomatic visits to state capitals over the course of the past month.
And work to reunite the Forum still needs to be formally concluded after it was nearly split apart over a falling out with the Micronesian States who said they felt excluded from its core business agenda.
Lice Movono spoke to Koroi Hawkins on Pacific Waves
Our correspondent in Fiji said this meeting is the first one that all Pacific Island Forum leaders will have met face to face since the pandemic.
Suva, Fiji Photo: 123rf
Lice Movono said it looks to be one of the most important of the foreign leaders' meetings of the last 10 years at least.
She said all the developments that have been happening in the region this year, and as well, from Covid have shaped up the agenda for this meeting.
"What we're hearing is that aside from the logistical preparations, the teams representing the leaders are meant to be a very big team. So, Suva should be very excited," she said.