The authorities in Durban have gone to great efforts to cater for around 12,000 delegates from more than 150 countries attending the UN world conference against racism.
In one of the largest security operations the South African coastal city has witnessed, a 1km no-fly zone has been imposed above the conference venue, the International Convention Centre.
The gathering is expected to generate about 300 million rand (about £30 million) in revenue for the country, with hotels and guesthouses in the city and outlying areas filled to capacity.
A security cordon has been erected around the venue and the adjacent cavernous media hall catering for around 800 journalists, with streets and traffic lanes sealed off.
Participants must go through weapons checks to enter the conference zone, and adjacent hotels also have security checks and Xray scanners for all guests.
Some 3,500 armed security personnel, including 1,600 "VIP protectors" and drivers will escort delegates and dignitaries.
The 15 heads of state scheduled to attend today's ceremonial opening include the President of Cuba, Dr Fidel Castro; the head of the Palestinian Authority, Mr Yasser Arafat; and the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr Joseph Kabila.
Before the heads of state and their South African hosts gather for a pre-summit breakfast today, police sniffer dogs will sweep the convention centre to ensure it is clear of explosives.
Two police helicopters and an aircraft will be used to secure routes for conference participants, and boats will patrol the coast amid concerns that vessels carrying illegal immigrants may try to stage a landing to embarrass the authorities.
There have also been concerns that anti-globalisation protesters may hold some sort of demonstration at the event, which runs until September 7th.
To date, police have had to deal only with minor incidents. They intervened on Wednesday when Palestinians and Jews confronted each other at a conference of non-governmental organisations being held ahead of the main conference.
The incident involved Palestinian supporters shouting "Free, free Palestine", while the Jewish groups countered by singing: "All we are saying is give peace a chance."
The hostility reflects ongoing tensions at the main conference between Arab groups who want delegates to condemn Israeli "racism" against Palestinians.
"There were no fisticuffs, but you can expect things like that in a conference of this nature," said Mr Bala Naidoo, a spokesman for the provincial security committee.
"There are highly emotive issues here. There were verbal insults, but the police were in between both groups."
Mr Naidoo dismissed reports by locals that Durban's street children had been rounded up and placed in institutions to avoid bad publicity during the conference. I saw small groups of street children camped on pavements in the city centre.
Conference delegates have been issued with brochures on attractions including the chance to watch shark dissections at the Natal Sharks Board.