Australia's Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, during a press conference in Honiara, stated that Australia would seek to host the forum meeting in 2009, a move welcomed by both PNG and Solomon Islands.
"It has been some 14 years since Australia hosted a Pacific Islands Forum and by 2009 it will be 15 years, so it's over due for Australia to host this important gathering of all the island states of our most immediate region."I thank the two Prime Ministers (PNG and SI), representing two significant nation states within the Pacific Islands Forum family for their support for Australia hosting this important event," said Mr. Rudd.
Kevin Rudd has already received a positive response from his counterpart in PNG and in the Solomon Islands. "Solomon Islands support Australia...Australia's bid to host the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in 2009," stated Solomon Islands Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua.