On Monday, Pacific leaders will begin their five-day summit in Tonga, which promises to be the biggest regional gathering yet.
More than 1400 delegates have registered, where officials and civil society organisations will grapple with the region's biggest issues.
The Kingdom of Tonga has hustled to be ready on time, erecting fast-build accommodation to house the influx and opening giant new school buildings for major meetings.
Crisis-hit New Caledonia will be high on the agenda at the Pacific Islands Forum. (AP PHOTO)
But as recently as a couple of years ago, the organisation was on its knees, owing to a walkout by Micronesian nations, including Kiribati and Nauru.
Previous chair Sitiveni Rabuka brokered a power-sharing agreement to bring them back, preserving the 18-strong membership.
Meg Keen, a senior fellow at the Lowy Institute, said the Suva Agreement effectively saved PIF.
"(Micronesia) have been brought back into the tent. The got what they wanted. They got the leader," she told AAP.
Given the recent rupture and the importance that Australia and New Zealand place on the organisation, both powers will seek to consolidate in Tonga.
"Everybody's talking about unity," Dr Keen continued.
"The strong efforts to bring them back in really reflect a commitment broadly across the whole membership to hold a cohesive Pacific Islands Forum and region ... because they know they have greater strength together."
PIF will also consider adding two more nations - American Samoa and Guam - who have been recommended as associate members.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will represent Australia at the summit in Tonga. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)
One of the most significant issues - crisis-hit New Caledonia - could present a major challenge for that sought-after unity.
While some Pacific nations, particularly in neighbouring Melanesia, hope New Caledonia can walk a faster route to independence, its colonial power France does not.
That could present friction for Australia, which holds a position closer to that of Paris, than Papua New Guinea.
On Monday morning, regional sub-groupings will meet, meaning the Melanesian Spearhead Group will gather where they may endorse a tougher line on supporting New Caledonia, which could place Australia in a bind.
However, Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will have a couple of days to respond, as he and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon are missing the opening two days.
They are scheduled to arrive, separately, on Tuesday night, and will spend Wednesday in Nuku'alofa before heading to the outer island of Vava'u for the Leaders Retreat on Thursday.
It's at that meeting that all issues will be thrashed out before a final communique.
In addition to the Pacific meetings, the summit will also host external powers which are looking to engage local leaders.
The US and China are taking powerful delegations, while Taiwan confirmed its own mission on Sunday, alongside at least a dozen other countries.
Another is Turkey, which is Australia's rival for the COP31 UN Climate Change conference in 2026.
It's yet to be seen whether tiny Tonga - population roughly 100,000 - will manage the hosting challenge but Dr Keen is confident.
"You can imagine how challenging it's going to be but like all things in the Pacific, they'll pull it off," she said.
"Occasionally the microphone may not work, or the air conditioning may break down, but it will happen ... you just get on with it.
"No one is going to not have a good experience in Tonga, or not to have them feel proud of what they have achieved as a host."
11°C