The WCL Division Five tournament in Jersey is the first step on a long road that could see any of the 12 competing nations playing in the 2011 World Cup.
The ICC's Development Event Manager Andrew Faichney sees the tournament as a fantastic opportunity for emerging or small cricketing nations.
"It's a great chance for the associate and affiliate countries to progress all the way through," he told BBC Jersey.
"It's a stepping stone for a number of them to get the World Cup."
"We've got representation from all of the regions throughout the development community"
The two teams that reach the final in Jersey will qualify for the Division Four tournament in Tanzania in October.
A top two finish there means progression to a Division Three tournament in late January 2009.
Making the final in Division Three will once again result in promotion, this time into the World Cup Qualifier alongside teams such as Scotland, Ireland, Namibia and Oman.
One of the Division Five teams, tournament favourites Afghanistan, have already proved they can make the grade when they tied with Oman in last year's Asian Cricket Council Twenty20 Championship.
Faichney agreed the standard of play at the Jersey tournament will be high, despite the nations being cricketing minnows.
"There's some great cricket that will be played over the next few days," he said. "We've got representation from all of the regions throughout the development community of the cricketing world and it's great they've got this opportunity to play."
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