DECISIONS MADE AT THE CABINET MEETING HELD 4TH JUNE 2024

The Peoples’ Coalition Cabinet held its ninth meeting of 2024 on Tuesday 4th June 2024. Decisions made today by Cabinet include the following:
 
COUNTER NARCOTICS STRATEGY 2023 – 2028
Cabinet endorsed the National Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023 – 2028.
 
Key focus areas under the Strategy include reducing demand for narcotics, reducing supply, reducing harm, legislativereform, data collection, analysis and information sharing, establishment of a drug addiction treatment center, and partnership, coordination and international cooperation.
 
The Strategy will be implemented through close collaboration between Government agencies, representatives from the private sector, Civil Society Organizations including faith-based organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, the media, and academic institutions.
 
ESTABLISHMENT OF FIJI’S COUNTER NARCOTICS BUREAU AND THE PREPARATION OF A BILLTO FORMALISE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNTER NARCOTICS BUREAU
 
Cabinet approved the establishment of a Fiji Counter Narcotics Bureau.
 
The Bureau will be an independent institution under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, with the following functions:
law enforcement;
investigations;
prosecution;
intelligence gathering; and
conducting awareness in collaboration with key agencies.
 
Cabinet also approved the development of a Fiji Counter Narcotics Bureau Bill to empower the roles and functions of the Bureau. The draft Bill will be considered by Cabinet following the necessary consultation process, before it is tabled in Parliament.
 
ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDING SUPPORT BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
Cabinet endorsed the newly proposed Direct Funding Arrangements with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand for the following:
 
-the Fiji Social Infrastructure Programme (‘FSIP’) grant funding to the tune of AUD $16.75 million (equivalent to FJ$25.12 million); and
 
-the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (‘FREF’) Programme grant funding to the tune of AUD $7.25 million(equivalent to FJ$10.89 million) and NZD $2.45 million (equivalent to FJ$3.40 million).
 
FSIP will commence in June 2024 and end no later than 30 June 2027, and the FREF Programme will commence on 30 June 2024 and complete no later than 30 June 2028.
 
FINANCING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT FUND AND THE MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES
 
Cabinet approved a Financing Agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the procurement of medication, diagnostic and commodities under the UNDP procurement process and regulation. The medications are to treat:
 
Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV),
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI),
Hepatitis B, and
Tuberculosis (TB).
 
The key objective of the Financing Agreement is to support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in the efficient procurement through the UNDP procurement process to enable year – round supply of medications, diagnostic and commodities.

It will also reduce diagnostic and treatment abandonment of HIV and TB for our population, and ultimately improve the quality of care for individuals diagnosed with HIV and TB across the nation.
 
Fiji will contribute FJD $5,231,499.63 for three years (2024-2026) under the Agreement.
 
DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW SANITARY LANDFILL FOR WESTERN DIVISION AND FEASIBILITY STUDYFOR A WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
Cabinet agreed that a feasibility study be carried out for the establishment of a new sanitary landfill in western division ofFiji and to rehabilitate the existing four dumpsites into collection and sorting centres.
 
An open competitive bidding process will also be undertaken to solicit public-private partnership solutions for the new sanitary landfill as well as to rehabilitate the four existing dumpsites into collection and sorting centres.
 
The outcome of the feasibility study and the competitive bidding process will be brought back to Cabinet for its consideration.
 
160TH CELEBRATION COMMEMORATING THE ARRIVAL OF MELANESIANS IN FIJI
Cabinet endorsed the 160th anniversary celebrations of the arrival of Melanesians in Fiji.
 
The Fiji Melanesian Council (FMC) will be coordinating the celebrations in Suva in November this year.
 
The last celebrations to commemorate the 150th year of the arrival of Melanesians in Fiji was held in Levuka.
 
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
 
The IRRI is an international agricultural research and training organisation dedicated to improving the livelihood of ricefarmers and consumers around the world. The MOU will facilitate scientific and technical collaboration for the promotion and dissemination of high yielding, climate smart and healthier rice varieties in Fiji.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A STEERING COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE THE SETUP OF A TRUTH ANDRECONCILIATION COMMISSION
Cabinet endorsed the establishment a Steering Committee to oversee the setting up of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
 
The Steering Committee’s objective is to oversee the formulation of the legal, governance and financial framework for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
 
The Steering Committee will be chaired by Hon. Sashi Kiran, Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection. Other Committee members include:
 
-Hon. Sakiusa Tubuna - Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office,
-Hon. Lenora Qereqeretabua – Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs,
-Hon. Ratu Isikeli Tuiwailevu – Assistant Minister for iTaukei Affairs and
-Hon. Jovesa Vocea – Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management.
 
The Chair of the Committee will report directly to the Hon. Prime Minister.
 
The Committee will be guided by the following objectives in its work to establish the Commission:
-to provide consistent leadership and oversight towards the establishment of the Commission;
-ensure appropriate provisioning for staffing and funding of the Commission;
-ensure a proper Governance and Reporting Framework for accountability in the establishment and operations of the Commission; and
-oversee the preparation of a Policy framework and drafting instructions for a law to establish the Commission.
 
It is envisaged that the Bill to establish the TRC will be considered by Cabinet later this year, before it is tabled in Parliament. Once enacted, it is anticipated that the TRC is then appointed to carry out its work in 2026.

FIJI TO HOST THE 2026 MELANESIAN ARTS FESTIVAL
Cabinet approved that Fiji host the 8th Melanesian Arts Festival (MACFEST) in 2026.
 
MACFEST provides an opportunity to showcase and preserve the diverse cultural heritage of Fiji and the Melanesian region. This festival is a platform for cultural exchange and celebration of traditional arts, crafts, music and traditional dances.
 
Fiji last hosted the MACFEST in 2006.
 
FIJI TO PARTICIPATE IN EXPO 2025 OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN
Cabinet endorsed Fiji’s participation at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan (Expo 2025). Expo 2025 will be held from 13 April to 13 October 2025.
 
His Excellency, Ambassador Filimone Waqabaca, will be Fiji’s Commissioner-General (CG) to the Expo.
 
Fiji’s participation in Expo 2025 will allow the opportunity to showcase the rich culture, natural beauty, sustainable development initiatives, renewable energy projects, blue economy efforts, cultural preservation endeavours, and entrepreneurship achievements.