The chairman of the Solomon Islands government caucus has described the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting in Tonga as a waste of time.
Nelson Ne'e has told the Solomon Star that this was the main reason why the government decided to boycott the gathering.
However, Solomon Islands sent its foreign minister to the Forum opening ceremony in Nuku'alofa and will attend the post-Forum dialogue.
Mr Ne'e says the Forum leaders only meet, read and talk while his government wants to discuss funding for its development policy.
