The meeting in the port city of Madang brought together commanders from six commands in the West Papuan National Army.

Meeting organiser Jonah Wenda told AAP most of the commanders had crossed the border from Papua to attend the meeting and they had pledged to continue their struggle for a free Papua through non-violent means.

The meeting continued the work of the West Papua Coalition for National Liberation to bring together all resistance groups under one umbrella organisation, he said.

A low-level secessionist struggle has been going on in the province for decades with Melanesian Papuans pitted against Indonesian security forces.

Wenda said the commanders signed a memorandum of understanding to form a new coordinating body in October. Their aim was to use peaceful means to free West Papua, promoting defence rather than offence or violent struggle, he said.

"We don't want to attack but if the Indonesian army chooses to attack, we will stand to defend our people and our land and the future of West Papua."