DECISIONS MADE AT THE 5TH CABINET MEETING HELD ON APRIL 01, 2025

1. Fiji’s Contribution Towards the Pacific Community Regional Office, Suva 
 
Cabinet agreed to Fiji’s contribution of approximately $3.7million towards the construction of the new Pacific Community’s (SPC) regional office in Suva.
 
This contribution will be over the next two years, and is in line with the provisions of the Host Country Agreement in which Fiji is expected to provide reasonable and appropriate premises for an SPC office in Suva.
 
2. Tavarua Island Marine Reserve and the Associated Regulations 2025
Cabinet endorsed the Fisheries (Tavarua Island Marine Reserve) Regulations 2025.
 
The Tavarua Island Marine Reserve is part of the Vanua o Malolo customary fishing right areas (CFRA) in the province of Nadroga/Navosa. 
 
The area protected under the Regulations covers 5.62 square kilometres or approximately 0.5123% of the total customary fishing area of 1,096.421053 square kilometres.
 
The Tavarua Marine Reserve holds the largest population of giant clams in Fiji waters. In addition to giant clams, ten species of sea cucumber, 70 species of fish, over 200 species of corals, and nesting beaches for turtles and seabirds will now be protected.
 
3. Fiji’s Wind Loads Standards 
Cabinet approved the voluntary adoption of Fiji Wind Loads Standards (FS 1170.2 – Structural Design Actions Part 2: Wind Actions and FS 4055 – Wind loads for housing).
 
FS 1170.2 – Structural Design Actions Part 2: Wind Actions sets out procedures for determining wind speeds and resulting wind actions to be used in the design of all structures subject to wind actions other than those caused by tornadoes.
 
FS 4055 – Wind loads for housing specifies site wind speed classes for calculating design wind speeds and loads for Fiji National Building Code Class 1 and Class 10 buildings within the geometric limits given in the Standard. 
 
The wind loads standards will help Fijian builders, architects, designers, and producers of building materials create structures and materials that are resilient enough to withstand typically Category 5 cyclones. 
 
4. Fiji’s National Digital Strategy
Cabinet endorsed the National Digital Strategy.
 
The strategy lays out a coordinated approach to scale digital technology to drive economic growth and sustainable development. 
 
It aims to further cement Fiji as the region’s digital hub and ensure that the right conditions are in place for an increasing digital economy to be innovative, accessible and have an embedded strong digital trust element. 
 
A National Digital Economy Committee, a National Digital Subcommittee and a National Digital Implementation Unit will be setup to oversee the implementation of the strategy.
 
 
5. Assessment of Fiji’s Compliance with International Standards on Combating Money Laundering and Related Financial Crimes 2026
Cabinet endorsed preparations for the 2026 assessment by the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) on Fiji’s compliance with the international standards on combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing (mutual assessment).
 
As a member of the APG, Fiji is committed to complying with the international standards on combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.
 
The National Anti-Money Laundering Council will be coordinating Fiji’s preparations for the mutual evaluation.
 
6. Update on Fiji’s Electoral Legislation Review and Reform
Cabinet was updated on the electoral legislation review and reform processes.
 
The reviewed legislation is expected to be tabled before Cabinet in time for the June/July sitting of Parliament this year. 
 
7. Cooperation Agreement with the International Finance Corporation
Cabinet endorsed the Cooperation Agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on Fiji Enabling Investment Environment programme.
 
The programme will help strengthen the development of the private sector in Fiji. 
 
It is managed by IFC’s Country Advisory and Economics Department and is financed by Government of Australia being the key donor of Fiji’s Private Sector Development Partnership. 
 
8.Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention and the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime
Cabinet agreed that Fiji sign the Second Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on enhanced cooperation and disclosure of electronic evidence.
 
Fiji acceded to the Budapest Convention in June 2024.
 
The Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention was introduced to enhance cross-border cooperation in combating cybercrime and facilitate access to electronic evidence. 
 
With its four chapters, it provides for direct cooperation between authorities and service providers, expedited sharing of information in emergencies, and stronger personal data protection measures. 
 
The Second Additional Protocol aims to address the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements and the increasingly transnational nature of cybercrime.
 
9. Strategic Revitalisation of Fiji Investment Corporation Limited
Cabinet agreed that the Fiji Investment Corporation Limited (FICL) commence new investments immediately upon finalisation of the 2006 - 2022 audited accounts.
 
A feasibility study will also be undertaken to explore FICL’s mandate to act as a holding company for select state-owned enterprises (SOEs). 
 
The revival of FICL is a reflection of the People’s Coalition Government’s commitment to resolving ongoing governance hurdles and reactivating FICL as a growth engine. 
 
FICL's immediate focus revolves around acting as an investment catalyst, particularly in supporting high-impact sectors such as agriculture, forestry including agro-processing, industrial and residential development, fisheries, aquaculture, manufacturing and processing, information communication technology, services industries including business processing outsourcing and tourism. 
 
10.Proposed Review of Fiji’s Poverty Alleviation Eradication Strategy Framework 199
Cabinet endorsed the review of Fiji’s Poverty Alleviation Eradication Strategy Framework (FPAESF) 1999.
 
FPAESF 1999 was developed through concerted efforts between state and non-state actors for the purpose of developing a strategic framework that will address the driving forces and root causes of poverty in Fiji. 
 
The review is to ensure better coordination, oversight and technical support advice on poverty alleviation strategies in Fiji.  
 
11. Fiji International Visitor Survey Report 2019 to 2023
Cabinet endorsed Fiji’s International Visitor Survey(IVS) for the years 2019, 2022 and 2023. 
 
The was no IVS conducted in 2020 and 2021 due to border closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The IVS provides quantitative and qualitative assessment of Fiji’s visitors and provides Government and key tourism stakeholders with regular, timely, comprehensive and accurate information on the characteristics, behaviour and expenditure of overseas visitors to Fiji.