-Accommodation committee locks in 700 rooms, aims to secure 600 more by mid-August
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
PREPARATIONS for the 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting are well underway, with 700 hotel rooms already secured for the expected 1,300 delegates who will begin arriving in Honiara from September, 6, 2025.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, speaking at a press conference on Friday, July 18, last week, confirmed that national task forces and sectoral committees are working around the clock to ensure the country is ready to host the regional summit, which officially opens on September 8, 2025.
“We’re looking at around about 1,300 delegates,” the Prime Minister said.
“So far, I’ve been informed we have secured about 700 rooms. The accommodation committee is now scouting for another 600 to 700 rooms and aims to secure them by mid-August.”
The government is also exploring options to rent fully furnished three-bedroom private homes to meet remaining accommodation needs.
PM Manele said last year’s Forum leaders meeting in Tonga, similar arrangements were made.
A comprehensive taskforce is in place, with dedicated committees covering accommodation, transport and logistics, security, and other key operational areas to ensure smooth delivery of the event.
Adding to the momentum, the Deputy Secretary General of the Forum Secretariat recently visited Honiara to inspect progress on preparations, including venue readiness and infrastructure.
Prime Minister Manele said the visit concluded positively.
“They were here to look at whether the venue for the meeting is ready. They inspected air conditioning systems and other aspects. They also checked on accommodation,” Manele said.
“I understand the preparations are progressing very well. Even the Deputy Secretary General is impressed,” he said.
The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting, scheduled for September, 8–12, 2025, will bring together leaders from across the region to address critical issues affecting the Pacific, including climate change, security, and regional cooperation.
The countdown begins, and the government is determined to ensure Honiara is ready to host one of the most significant diplomatic gatherings in the Pacific calendar.
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