The conference is for West Papuan representative groups, who are mainly pro-independence, to discuss a potential bid to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
The potential bid would be for representation distinct from Indonesia, which already has observer status at the MSG.
The committee, comprised of Vanuatu's Council of Churches, national chiefs body and other repesentatives, had been organising the conference for August 27-30.
However the committee's chairman, Pastor Allan Nafuki, said they had decided to move the conference back to the first week of October.
He said this gave them more time to prepare for the conference and for delegates travelling from Indonesia's remote Papua region to meet visa requirements.
More than 100 delegates are expected at the conference.
Indonesian delegation
Pastor Nafuki said the committee would not defer to Indonesia on the issue of West Papuan self-determination aspirations.
His statement came at a time when Indonesia has sent an official delegation on a diplomatic visit to Port Vila this week.
Pastor Nafuki said his committee would make sure that only eligible West Papuans decided on the future of their country.
He said they expect there would be individuals who were sent by Indonesia to try to derail the outcome of the meeting, but that it would not succeed.
Vanuatu's Prime Minister Joe Natuman told the visiting Indonesians the country was fully supportive of West Papuans right to self-determination.
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