Fiji, Aug. 29 -- Pacific Islands Forum leaders are expected to decide next week where partners will sit within the Forum's regional architecture, with new guidelines potentially setting rules for access, privileges and the graduation of partners.

Forum Deputy Secretary-General Esala Nayasi said the decision on the placement of partners would be considered at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau, with implementation expected to begin next year.

"On the second issue, the decision this year will be on the placement of partners," Nayasi told Pacific journalists in Palau.

He said the decision would be followed by the development of governance guidelines covering how partners engage with the Forum.

"There is an expectatio...