15TH CABINET MEETING DECISIONS – 28 OCTOBER 2025

1. Energy Investment Advisory Committee
Cabinet endorsed the establishment of the Energy Investment Advisory Committee (EIAC). Cabinet also endorsed the review of the Electricity Act 2017.
 
The decisions of Cabinet were based on the recommendations of the ‘Legislative and Regulatory Gap Analysis to Facilitate the Just Inclusive Transition for the Energy Sector in Fiji’ study. The study was initiated in response to Fiji’s slow progress in transitioning to renewable electricity generation.
 
The EIAC will be a formal multi-stakeholder body with the objective to provide a single-window platform of engagement between Independent Power Producer (IPP) and government agencies namely the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) and Energy Fiji Limited (EFL).
 
The function of the EIAC will be to review IPP renewable energy proposals; provide advisory support to IPPs on regulatory, technical, and permitting requirements; streamline project approvals and licensing through coordination; and monitor project status, institutional bottlenecks, and investor concerns.
 
The EIAC will also support the Government in aligning policy and regulatory processes, including contributing to the review and reform of the Electricity Act.
 
The Department of Energy will serve as the EIAC Secretariat.
 
2. Memorandum of Cooperation on the Technical Intern Training Programme between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Fiji
Cabinet endorsed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with the Government of Japan on ‘Technical Intern Training Programme’.
 
The programme is a Japanese Government initiative that aims to transfer technical skills, knowledge, and competencies to foreign trainees from developing countries.
 
The programme will provide valuable opportunities for Fijian workers to gain global exposure, enhance their technical knowledge, and return home with improved skills that can drive economic growth and resilience in Fiji.
 
3. Review of Fiji National Provident Fund Act 2011 and Special Death Benefits Regulations 2022
Cabinet has endorsed the Fiji National Provident Fund’s (FNPF) proposal to review the FNPF Act 2011 (Act) and the Special Death Benefit Regulations 2022 (SDB Regulations).
 
The comprehensive review of the Act is aimed at ensuring the Act remains robust, relevant and effective in safeguarding the interests of its members and adapting to the evolving economic and social landscape.
 
The review of the SDB Regulations is to relook at the benefit-rate premium model and ensure that it is fit for purpose.
 
The review period will be for 18 months and it will involve consultations with key stakeholders, employer and employee representatives, government agencies, and the general public.
 
4. Integrated Rural Development Framework 2009 Review Report
Cabinet endorsed the recommendations of the Integrated Rural Development Framework (IRDF) 2009 review report.
 
The IRDF 2009 was originally established to enhance the rural development planning and coordination system.
 
The comprehensive review conducted over seven months (November 2024 to May 2025) examined the IRDF’s effectiveness, assessed community needs and challenges, and evaluated stakeholder coordination.
 
The review findings highlight a strategic opportunity for the new NRDP to address systemic challenges (including basic needs provision, systemic inefficiencies, community empowerment, youth migration, and strengthening traditional leadership) and reimagine rural development in Fiji.
 
This will require enhanced inter-agency coordination, prioritization of participatory governance, integration of traditional leadership, addressing resource allocation inefficiencies, and mainstreaming climate resilience and sustainability.
 
A National Rural Development Policy (NRDP) will be developed to implement the recommendations of the review report.

5. Fiji’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
Cabinet endorsed the submission of Fiji’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC3.0), to the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
 
NDCs are the means for developing countries to communicate national climate finance needs and have more recently become the vehicle for communicating national commitments and needs in relation to efforts to address climate change-induced loss and damage.
 
Fiji’s NDC3.0 was developed through evaluation of progress against Fiji’s current NDC and a comprehensive national stakeholder consultation process.
 
6. Fiji Tourism Policy 2025-2035 And Fiji Tourism Standards Guidance Framework to Develop Tourism Law
Cabinet was updated on the Fiji Tourism Policy and the Fiji Tourism Standards Framework Guidance Note.
 
The two documents are fundamental to the process of developing the Tourism Law.
 
The Tourism Policy provides a conceptual direction and practical considerations for the proposed law.
 
The Policy will be supported by the Guidance Note which details the purpose and structure of the Fiji Tourism Standards Framework.
 
Tourism standards are structured sets of criteria that define expected levels of quality, sustainability, safety, and service within the tourism sector.
 
While Fiji does not currently have a national system of tourism standards in place, the introduction of such a framework is critical to guiding responsible business practices, strengthening consumer confidence, and improving overall sector performance.
 
Once embedded in national policy and regulation via the Act, standards will help ensure consistency, protect the destination’s reputation, and align tourism growth with Fiji’s broader development goals for sustainability, resilience, and inclusive prosperity.
 
7. GEF-8 Umbrella Programme
Cabinet endorsed the engagement of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the GEF-accredited and approved Implementing Agency (IA) for the execution of the following two projects:
 
- support the updating of Fiji’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2030 (NBSAP) as well as the preparation of the NBSAP 7th National Report, with a total allocation of USD $450,000; and
- a Small-Scale Funding Agreement (SSFA) to support the preparation of the “First National Report on Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation” with a total allocation of USD $30,000.
 
The projects will strengthen Fiji’s institutional and technical capacity to deliver high-quality national reports that accurately reflect progress in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
 
8. Letter Of Intent with the International Civil Aviation Organisation
Cabinet endorsed a Letter of Intent with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on aviation training collaboration aimed at strengthening capacity development in the Pacific Small Island Developing States.
 
This partnership will enhance aviation safety and compliance across the region through the development of standardised, high-quality training programmes aligned with international regulations.
 
The LOI reinforces Fiji’s position as a regional aviation leader and training hub, supported by existing aviation training institutions that are certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) such as the Fiji Airports Aviation Academy, Advance Aviation Training, and Pacific Flying School. 
 
9. Letter of Agreement with the United Nations Development Programme
Cabinet endorsed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Implementation of the Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme.
 
The programme will target women, youth, persons with disabilities and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises segments and across agriculture, fisheries, retail and community-based tourism sectors.
 
The overall objective is to improve the financial preparedness of “Pacific households, communities, small businesses, organisations and governments towards climate change and natural hazards” through a combination of stakeholder engagement, co-creation of solutions, awareness and capacity building, innovative financing options and digital linkages.
 
10. Letter of Agreement on Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific Project Phase 2
Cabinet approved a partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) for the implementation of the Sustainable Waste Actions in the Pacific Project Phase 2 (SWAP 2).
 
The project will benefit seven Pacific Island countries—Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu—as well as two French Territories: French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna.
 
The project aims to enhance waste infrastructure, strengthen capacity building, and promote regional collaboration among various Pacific Island countries and French territories.