DECISIONS MADE AT THE CABINET MEETING HELD ON 13 NOVEMBER 2024

The decisions of Cabinet include the following:
 
1.    Repatriation Process for the Remains of the Late Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu VC
 
Cabinet has endorsed the establishment of an Inter-Agency Committee led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to oversee the preparations of the repatriation process for the late Corporal (Cpl.) Sefanaia Sukanaivalu VC from Papua New Guinea (PNG) to Fiji in June 2025.
 
Cpl. Sukanaivalu is Fiji’s lone Victoria Cross recipient, the highest and most prestigious decoration for valour in the British Armed Forces and it is awarded for extreme bravery in the face of the enemy.
 
He hailed from Yacata Village, Cakaudrove, and is buried along with 32 other Fijian soldiers at the Bitapaka War Cemetery in the province of East New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
 
The repatriation of the remains of Cpl. Sukanaivalu VC is expected to be a national event.
 
2.    Fiji’s National Carbon Market Strategy Roadmap
 
Cabinet endorsed Fiji’s National Carbon Market Strategy Roadmap (Roadmap) for publication on the Fiji Climate Change Portal.
 
Carbon markets seek to enhance the potential to reduce emissions through collaboration between different parties.
 
Reducing carbon emissions requires activities and interventions that reduce fossil fuel use, increase energy efficiency and increase the absorption of carbon dioxide.
 
The Roadmap provides key considerations, proposed actions, and principles intended to help set the basis for further action and consultation.
 
3.    Fiji – Critical Bridges Resilience Project
 
Cabinet endorsed loan and grant agreements with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for loan and grant facilities under the Fiji - Critical Bridges Resilience Project.
 
Fiji will receive a total financing of USD 134.5 million (approximately FJD 304.4 million) of which USD 120.0 million (approximately FJD 271.6 million) will be as concessional loan financing and USD 14.5 million (approximately FJD 32.8 million) as grant financing.
 
Four bridges have been identified by the Fiji Roads Authority for replacement under the project.  
 
The project is anticipated to conclude in 2031.
 
4.    Advisory Engagement Letter Between Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation and International Finance Corporation
 
Cabinet endorsed the Advisory Engagement Letter between the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Ministry) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
 
Throught this engagement, IFC will assist the Ministry in undertaking rapid assessments that support and inform the implementation of the National Sustainable Tourism Framework Action Plan with a focus on unlocking private investment opportunities in sustainable tourism.
 
The total value of the assistance to be provided to the Ministry will be up to USD395,607.
 
At the end of this project, it is expected that the Ministry will have all the needed instruments to start enacting reforms and policy actions that will enable private investment opportunities in the tourism industry.
 
IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is one of the largest global development institutions focused on the private sector in emerging markets.
 
5.    Development Partner Assistance for the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection
 
Cabinet endorsed a Memorandum of Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), New Zealand and the Peace Corps, respectively.
 
These arrangements are as follows:
 
·      Grant Funding Agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), New Zealand for support in developing a strategic plan for the next five years (2025-2030) through funding of up to the maximum amount of NZD 100,000.00 (inclusive of all taxes); and
 
·      Memorandum of Understanding with the Peace Corps for support in projects and activities related to the Community Economic Empowerment Project.
 
Both arrangements will be effective from the date of execution.

6.       Extension of Privileges of Official Passports
 
Cabinet agreed that the Passport Act 2002 be amended to allow for the issuance of the Official Passport to eligible categories of senior officials for official purposes only and for the duration of their appointments.
 
 
The Official Passport is one of the four categories of passports issued by the Fiji Immigration Department and is limited only to disciplined forces travelling on peacekeeping duties. The other three categories include the Ordinary Passport, Diplomatic Passport and Emergency Passport.
 
The amendments to the Passport Act will be brought back to Cabinet for its consideration.