The French unionist, Jose Bove, has arrived in Noumea on a month-long visit at the invitation of New Caledonia's USTKE union.
Mr Bove is to address the USTKE congress next month for which the union has invited delegates from Cuba, Palestine and South Africa to discuss New Caledonia's political situation.
Mr Bove, who is the leader of a French farmers' union, was jailed earlier this year for vandalising an American fast food restaurant in France.
USTKE members used last July's visit to the territory by President Jacques Chirac to protest in a bid to win Bove's release.
