The 5th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Special Leaders Retreat, labelled as a significant milestone, began in the tourism hotspot, Denarau Island, near Nadi, on Thursday morning.
Kiribati, which announced its withdrawal from PIF last year, is back in the fold and the Micronesian nation's return to the Forum family is a key focus of the special meeting.
President, Taneti Maamau, was greeted by the man who has been at the public face of the tensions, PIF secretary-general, Henry Puna on Wednesday.