Fiji's foreign minister says the Pacific Islands Development Forum has been earmarked to gain United Nations accreditation next year.
The forum was formed by Fiji three years ago in response to the country's suspension from the more established Pacific Islands Forum.
FBC News reports the foreign minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, saying the PIDF is expected to be granted observer status at next year's UN General Assembly.
He says it has already received tacit recognition from the French government with its invite to attend the Oceania Summit in Paris next month.