Pacific Island Leaders have arrived in Cairns, Australia for the 40th Pacific Islands Leaders Forum which official gets underway tomorrow.
In his welcoming address, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Australia is proud of its pacific identity, underpinned by strong historical, sporting and people to people ties.
Rudd, who is the incoming chair of the Forum said this years Leaders meeting occurs against the backdrop of transformation as the global economic crisis unfolds and the international community looks afresh at its political and economic institutions.
Meanwhile, attempts by Australia and New Zealand to put the Fiji issue aside for now may be frustrated after the summit last month of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
In a communiqué at the end of the MSG Summit, PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu called on the Pacific Forum to maintain an open and constructive dialogue with Fiji.
Fiji will be absent from the forum in Australia starting today due to the suspension from the forum.
Pacific Island Leaders arrives in Aust
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