More than 100 global investors have been confirmed for a large trade summit in Northern Ireland next month, the government has said.
The event is scheduled for 12 and 13 September with several UK ministers expected to take part.
However, without a functioning executive at Stormont there will be no Northern Ireland ministers in post.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie had asked the government to delay the summit.
This would allow more time for Stormont to be restored, he said.