54th Pacific Islands Forum preparations underway in Honiara

Solomon Islands youths rehearsing for the PIF official opening ceremony on Monday (NBC News)

Preparations are underway for the hosting of the weeklong 54th Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

This year’s theme is “Iumi Tugeda: Act now for an integrated blue Pacific.

With increased geopolitical pressure on the region, these annual meetings are vital for leaders to meet and discuss common issues of climate change, the Ocean of Peace proposal, regional peace and security, fisheries and marine, Fukushima nuclear testing and wastewater, and West Papua and the Kava declaration, among others.

17 out of 18 Pacific leaders are expected to attend, including PNG Prime Minister James Marape, who’s expected to arrive on Monday.

Pacific Island leaders attend a service at St Barnabas Cathedral in Honiara to mark the start of the weeklong Forum meetings (NBC News)

Those who have arrived already are French Polynesian President Peretiteni Farani, Tongan Prime Minister Aisake Eke, Kiribati President Taneti Mamau and Tuvalu President Feleti Penitala Teo.

They were at a church service today with host Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele.

Samoa will be represented by their Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Over a hundred media personnel arrived ahead of the meet, getting a head start to the actual program. which will be officially opened in the evening of Monday.

PIF Secretary General Baron Waga reminded journalists of their important role in this meeting, and the region:

"As forum leaders prepare to meet here in the Solomon Islands this coming week, your role becomes even more vital. The decision taken during the meetings of the forum leaders will shape the direction of our region for years to come", the Secretary General said.

The Solomon Islands National Stadium, where the PIF opening ceremony will take place on Monday (NBC News)

Leaders from the small island states will meet to open the PIF on Monday morning, followed by the ACP leaders meeting.

A significant arrival to mark the opening of the meetings on Monday morning will be two Vakas or traditional canoes, Uto Ni Yalo from Fiji to meet Te Puke from Solomon Islands, described by Prime Minister Manele as signifying the “powerful symbol of Pacific unity, cultural pride over shared ocean.”

The regional leaders meeting will be officially opened at 6 pm, local time.