The Marshall Islands will host next year's annual gathering of the Pacific Islands Forum, and the country's ambassador to Fiji says it will be a major undertaking.
A team of officials from the Forum Secretariat in Fiji is expected to visit Majuro later this month to start coordinating efforts with local officials for next year's leaders' meeting in Majuro.
It is expected to bring at least 300 people to Majuro, a number that will see limited hotel rooms overflowing with guests for the 10 days of meetings.
The hosting by the Marshall Islands of the most important body in the Pacific will mark the second time that Majuro has played host to the Forum.
The first was in 1996.
The Marshall Islands Ambassador to Fiji, Frederick Muller, says Cabinet is expected to name an official Forum organising committee in the near future to get preparations underway.
He is confident the Marshall Islands can handle the meetings but says organising needs to start now so there is time to address any issues.
