Decisions made at Cabinet Meeting

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM PRIME MINISTER SITIVENI RABUKA. IT HAS BEEN EDITED

The decisions made at the eighth meeting of the Coalition Cabinet include the following:

1. National Infrastructure Investment Plan

The National Infrastructure Investment Plan (NIIP) consolidates infrastructure projects across all sectors into a single plan.

Projects are screened and prioritised based on their assessed benefits and strategic alignment to Fiji’s development strategies and objectives, to provide a list of “priority projects for further development.”

2. The National Energy Policy 2023–2030

The National Energy Policy 2023 – 2030 was formulated after an extensive review of the earlier energy policies and aims to support the effective development of Fiji’s energy sector.

3. Review of the Forest Act 1992

The Forest Act 1992 primarily focuses on forest and forest produce.

Policies pertaining to forest conservation and sustainable forest management have

developed over the years, but the Act does not quite sufficiently address these developments.

The review is to update present deficiencies in guidelines and processes to align with national developments particularly in the climate change space, our treaty commitments, and international best practices.

4. Review of the Petroleum Act 1938 and Regulations

The Act provides for the private sector to supply, transport and store fuel. The Act requires updating to meet modern-day challenges in the petroleum sector including market and technological developments, national and global climate change commitments and to remove certain lack of clarity in the existing Act.

5. Fiji to participate in a new Community of Practice for Social Protection in Pacific Island Countries

Cabinet approved Fiji’s participation in the Community of Practice for Social Protection in Pacific Island Countries.

6. MOU between the American Society for Testing and Materials and the Department of National Trade Measurement and Standards

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been approved between the American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM International) and the Ministry of Trade,

Co-operatives and Small Medium Enterprises through the Department of National Trade Measurement and Standards.

The MOU will allow the Ministry to seek the assistance of ASTM International to improve medical sector related standards or any other relevant sector standards, to support our public health system and the medical sector as a whole.

7. Fiji Delegation to 111th International Labour Conference 2023

Fiji’s delegation to the upcoming 111th Session of the International Labour Conference that will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from June 5-16, 2023.

The annual conference brings together government, worker and employer representatives of ILO member States. During this conference, broad labour policies are adopted by the ILO.

8. Hosting the International Maritime Organisation Regional Office for the Pacific Region

Cabinet has approved the establishment of the International Maritime Organisation Regional Office for the Pacific Islands.

The Office will be hosted at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Office in Suva.

The Regional Presence Office will enhance the International Maritime Organisation’s capacity to outreach and deliver technical assistance to the region, and encourage

greater co-ordination of existing regional maritime assistance programmes between donors and other organisations.

9. Establishment of the Office of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Liaison Officer for the Pacific Small Island Developing States

Cabinet agreed that Fiji host the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Liaison Officer for Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS).

The arrangement will be formalised through the execution of a Host Country Agreement with ICAO.

10. Establishment of Universal Postal Union Sub Regional Office in Fiji

Cabinet approved the establishment of the Universal Postal Union’s sub-regional office in Suva. The Universal Postal Union is a specialised agency of the United Nations. It safeguards the interest of postal operations all over the world and is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players.

Post Fiji Limited is a member of the Universal Postal Union.

The establishment of a sub-regional office in Fiji will enhance the Universal Postal Union’s ability to provide member countries in the Pacific Region with technical assistance for the development and modernisation of their postal services.