Organisations campaigning for independence in the Indonesian province of Papua hope that a new umbrella body will help them gain support from governments in the Pacific.

The West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation was formed last month at a secret meeting at Yambi, in neighbouring Papua New Guinea. The new coalition joins together 18 Papuan organisations including the Organisasi Papua Merdeka independence movement.

Spokesman for the new coalition, Rex Rumakiek, says the development of the united body should improve Papua's chances of eventually gaining independence.

"Those who attended have signed a memorandum of understanding that they will stand united from now on to work for the liberation of West Papua and they will establish a secretariat to make sure that all the framework is established and consult everybody else to participate," he said.