New Zealand and Australian diplomats will be among ten observers at a Fiji-led regional gathering in Nadi next week.
The Pacific Islands Development Forum succeeds Fiji's Engaging with the Pacific series of meetings which arose out of Fiji's suspension from the Pacific Island's Forum.
New Zealand is sending its acting head of mission and a representative from Australia's High Commission in Suva will also attend.
Fiji's Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola told business people in Brisbane earlier this week, 23 Pacific countries will be attending as well as observers.
He says the island countries will be able to discuss their own challenges and formulate their own solutions free from outside interference and the prescription of their larger neighbours.
