Papua New Guinea's foreign minister Rimbink Pato says his government is still hopeful Fiji's leader will attend this year's Pacific Islands Forum summit.
PNG is to host the meeting and Fiji prime minister Frank Bainimarama has been invited but Fiji Village reports him saying he will not attend.
Mr Bainimarama wants New Zealand and Australia to be removed as members or for the other donors, such as China and Japan, to be included as members.
Mr Pato says his government is firmly committed to the continued membership of New Zealand and Australia in the regional agency.
He says if there are issues they can be fixed from within.
Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
"If Fiji has a particular concern with the PIF [Pacific Islands Forum] or concern with Australia and/or New Zealand, then those are matters that should be raised through the Forum where all of us can make a contribution if we are required to make such a contribution."
PNG foreign minister Rimbink Pato who says they hope Fiji will change its mind and attend.
