Robust talks tipped for Pacific forum

Papua New Guinea's foreign minister is expecting robust debate when Pacific leaders meet for official talks.

Port Moresby is hosting the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit from Monday and Rimbink Pato says PNG is ready to take on a strong leadership role on shared development, social, economic and environmental challenges.

"In order for regionalism to work properly the leaders will hold frank discussions about pooling sovereignty, sharing resources and agreeing upon regional practices," Mr Pato told reporters in Port Moresby on Friday.

Forum secretary general Meg Taylor flagged fisheries, climate change, human rights issues related to West Papua, cervical cancer and computer technology as the five main priority agenda items.