West Papua’s application to be part of the Pacific Islands Development Forum is unlikely to succeed.

West Papua which is trying to get independence from Indonesia, has been lobbying for support from regional and international bodies including the PIDF.

PIDF outgoing interim general secretary Amena Yauvoli says it is highly unlikely that West Papua will be given a separate membership in the organisation.

“West Papua is not a country, West Papua belongs to Indonesia. As far as PIDF is concerned, Indonesia is an important partner – it is a development partner of PIDF.”

Yauvoli says the development partners right now are those who have been part of the Forum from the beginning which include Indonesia, China and Thailand among other countries.

He says to become a member of the PIDF one has to go through the normal accreditation process as outlined in the Charter.

The next PIDF summit will be held in two years time.