The leaders of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville are attending a key meeting in Port Moresby today to prepare for next year's referendum on independence.
Bougainville President John Momis and PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill at JSB meeting Photo: supplied
The Joint Supervisory Board (JSB) meeting is tasked with setting up the Bougainville Referendum Commission which will oversee the vote.
Former Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern is to chair the commission and is expected to attend today's meeting.
It is anticipated the JSB will decide on the question to be asked in the referendum.
Bougainville President John Momis said in talks at the beginning of this month that both he and Prime Minister Peter O'Neill concluded just a single question was required.
Additional questions would unnecessarily complicate the matter, Mr Momis said.
At today's meeting there will also be discussion on how the transitional period after the vote is conducted.
The JSB is also expected to finalise details on how Port Moresby will contribute to the process, with Bougainville long maintaining that the region has been denied constitutionally guaranteed funding.