Eighteen world leaders are locked inside a room for at least six hours to thrash out their various goals, gripes and grievances.
Heads of remote island nations with barely 1000 residents take their seats alongside powerful neighbours whose countries are home to many millions of people.
It might not be the tropical getaway all MPs dream of after a gruelling week in federal parliament, but it is what awaits Malcolm Turnbull when he arrives in Samoa on Friday.
The annual Pacific Islands Forum brings together political leaders from 16 states and two territories including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Fiji.
It also includes much smaller Pacific nations including Niue, Tuvalu and Kiribati.
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The prime minister, who attended last year's forum, will be back to announce a range of initiatives aimed at boosting Australia's engagement in the region.
Mr Turnbull is expected to hold one-on-one meetings with the prime ministers of PNG, Vanuatu and Samoa during his visit to Apia.
He is also due to take part in the forum leaders retreat where personal aides, policy wonks and media minders are cut adrift as politicians talk turkey inside.
It will be Mr Turnbull's first official visit to Samoa.
Trade, aid and regional security are set to dominate talks at this year's Pacific Islands Forum.
Maximising incomes from industries including tourism, fisheries and deep-sea mining will be high on the agenda, along with refining rules on how finances are spent.
Tackling climate change and rising sea levels will also be front of mind as politicians discuss sustainable development, food security and the depletion of natural resources.
Pacific leaders will ponder shifts in global power, conflict and international relations, particularly as China rises and America refocuses its attentions.
Maritime security, conflict in West Papua, regional political elections and the aftermath of a 14-year long law and order mission to the Solomon Islands will also be discussed.
