The 38th Pacific Island Leaders Forum has been officially opened with the first meeting expected to begin in the next hour.

Our News Director, Vijay Narayan reports from the meeting venue in Nuku'alofa.

Meanwhile, Interim Prime Minister Bainimarama and his delegation were accorded a Fiji traditional welcome ceremony last night where the Fijian Community wished them luck for the task ahead.

Close to 80 people gathered at the function organised by the Fiji Tonga Bussiness Council and former Fiji nationals who spoke at the function stressed that people must assist Commodore Bainimarama and his interim government in taking Fiji forward.