1. Government Position on Constitution Review Commission Report
Cabinet endorsed the Government’s proposed positions on the recommendations contained in the Constitution Review Commission Report, following detailed consideration by the Cabinet Subcommittee on the Review of the Constitution.
The Cabinet Subcommittee considered the Commission’s recommendations, including their legal, policy, governance and implementation implications, as well as financial and administrative considerations, transitional arrangements and views expressed during the Commission’s consultation process.
The Government’s proposed constitutional reforms include retaining ‘Fijian’ as the common national identity for all citizens while providing constitutional recognition of the iTaukei people as ‘itaukeinivanua o Viti’; strengthening the Bill of Rights and protections for women, children, vulnerable groups and minority communities; providing constitutional protection for customary land ownership, qoliqoli rights and group rights; and strengthening accountability and integrity institutions.
The proposed reforms also provide for a bicameral Parliament comprising a House of Representatives and Senate, together with a constituency and mixed member proportional electoral system.
Other proposed changes include restoring constitutional recognition of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga, strengthening judicial independence, and affirming the primacy of civilian authority over the Republic of Fiji Military Forces while clarifying its constitutional role and accountability arrangements.
Cabinet also endorsed the proposed process for consideration of the Constitution Bill, including its introduction into Parliament, referral to a Special Parliamentary Committee following its Second Reading, and public consultations before the Committee reports back to Parliament.
The proposed process provides for further parliamentary consideration, and subject to the required parliamentary support, referral of the Bill to a Referendum.
A Special Parliamentary Committee is proposed to examine the Constitution Bill, receive submissions from members of the public and interested stakeholders, consider matters referred by Parliament, and report its findings and recommendations to Parliament.
The proposed Committee would comprise 10 members, with seven nominated by Government and three by the Opposition.
The Constitution Bill will now be finalised to reflect the Government’s endorsed positions and transitional arrangements, before its introduction into Parliament.
The current timetable provides for the Bill’s First Reading on 30 September, Second Reading and referral to the Special Parliamentary Committee on 2 October, the Committee’s work during October, and further parliamentary consideration in November.
The proposed constitutional reform process is intended to provide for parliamentary scrutiny and public participation as Fiji considers the recommendations arising from the Constitution Review Commission’s review of the 2013 Constitution.
2. Staged Redevelopment of CWM Hospital
Cabinet endorsed a staged redevelopment pathway for the existing Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital campus following consideration of the Preliminary Master Plan for a proposed new National Tertiary Hospital at Valelevu.
The Preliminary Master Plan estimated that a new hospital at Valelevu would cost approximately AUD 3.5 billion (FJD 5.35 billion), with an estimated FJD 1.4 billion required for the first stage of construction.
In light of the significant upfront investment required and limited financing commitments, Cabinet agreed that the next stages of planning would focus on the redevelopment of the existing CWM Hospital site.
The staged redevelopment would allow critical hospital infrastructure to be progressively upgraded while maintaining health services, spreading investment across multiple budget cycles and allowing Government to pursue financing from development partners.
It would also support integration with planned health investments at the CWM campus, including oncology and radiotherapy infrastructure.
This decision allows the Feasibility Study and Business Case to proceed on the basis of a staged redevelopment of CWM Hospital, providing a more progressive pathway for strengthening Fiji’s national tertiary health infrastructure.
3. Revised Fiji–New Zealand Labour Mobility Arrangement
Cabinet approved the revised 2026 Inter-Agency Operational Understanding between Fiji’s Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations and New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to strengthen Fiji’s participation in the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme.
The revised arrangement will enhance recruitment, pre-departure preparation, worker welfare, compliance monitoring, information sharing and reintegration support. Since joining the RSE Scheme, over 5,000 Fijians have participated, including 853 in 2025.
The arrangement will be supported by FJD $780,000 over three years through New Zealand’s Strengthening Pacific Labour Mobility Programme to strengthen Fiji’s labour mobility systems, institutional capacity and worker support services, particularly for workers from rural and maritime communities. 3
4. Partnership to Strengthen Asbestos Safety in Fiji
Cabinet endorsed a partnership between the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations and the Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA to strengthen Fiji’s capacity to identify and manage asbestos risks and raise awareness of asbestos-related health and safety risks.
The project will support training of Occupational Health and Safety Inspectors and relevant stakeholders, consultations and workshops, a controlled pilot of handheld asbestos detection devices, and the development of a National Asbestos Profile to improve information on asbestos-containing materials and exposure risks.
The partnership will be supported by an AUD 35,000 grant, estimated at approximately FJD 54,000.
The funding will be provided through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through APHEDA, with which the Ministry intends to review the Health and Safety at Work (Control of Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2006 to strengthen Fiji’s regulatory framework for asbestos.
5. Development of Fiji Valuation Law
Cabinet endorsed the development of a new Valuation Law to establish a comprehensive and consistent legal framework for valuation work in Fiji.
The proposed law will consolidate valuation requirements under one framework, strengthen professional and ethical standards, establish standard valuation methodologies, improve access to reliable property data and provide mechanisms for addressing valuation complaints and disputes.
The reform will support greater transparency, accuracy and consistency in property valuations and strengthen confidence in valuation practices, while taking into account Fiji’s unique land ownership arrangements.
A specialist consultant, together with the Fiji Law Reform Commission, will assist in developing the proposed legislation. The formulation of the first draft of the Valuation Act is expected to be completed by January 2028.
6. Public Disclosure of Geothermal Exploration Reports
Cabinet approved the public disclosure of the 2019 geothermal exploration report covering Labasa and Savusavu in Vanua Levu, which had previously been classified as ‘Official Use Only’.
The report contains geoscientific information on geothermal resources in the two areas and its release will support renewable energy development, investment feasibility studies, research, knowledge-sharing and greater transparency in Fiji’s renewable energy planning.
The disclosure will be subject to appropriate redactions of sensitive information, including coordinates or proprietary interpretations where necessary, with safeguards and an audit record maintained to prevent misuse of the information.
7. 10-Year Education Sector Strategic Plan
Cabinet endorsed Fiji’s 10-Year Education Sector Strategic Plan 2025/2026–2034/2035, providing a roadmap for transforming the education system over the next decade.
The Plan, developed through extensive stakeholder consultations, aligns with the Fiji National Education Policy Framework (Denarau Declaration 2024–2033) and the National Development Plan 2025–2029.
It focuses on four priorities: quality teaching and learning; equitable access; education for socio-economic development; and effective governance, policy and planning.
Key reforms include strengthening teacher recruitment and professional development, improving access for disadvantaged students, expanding TVET, integrating green and emerging skills, and strengthening education administration and monitoring.
Implementation will be monitored through a Results Framework aligned with the National Development Plan, supported by Government funding, cost savings and development partners.
The Plan aims to ensure every Fijian child has access to quality, relevant and inclusive education, preparing learners for further education, employment and participation in a prosperous and sustainable Fiji.
8. National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Children
Cabinet endorsed Fiji’s National Action Plan to Prevent Violence Against Children 2026–2031 (NAPPVAC), establishing a whole-of-society framework to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, harm and neglect affecting children.
The Plan aligns with Fiji’s commitments under the First Global Ministers Forum to End Violence Against Children and is developed alongside the Child Care and Protection Act 2024 and Child Justice Act 2024.
It addresses child abuse and neglect, corporal punishment, sexual violence, online exploitation, bullying, family violence, child labour and child marriage. National evidence indicates that 80% of children aged 1–14 experienced violent discipline in the month preceding the 2021 MICS survey.
The NAPPVAC focuses on four areas: prevention, early intervention, response and system strengthening, including public awareness, school safeguarding, parenting programmes, referral services, child-friendly reporting, multi-sector responses, emergency shelter, medical and psychosocial care, legal assistance, improved data and workforce capacity.
9. Revised Anticipatory Action Framework for Tropical Cyclones
Cabinet approved the revised Anticipatory Action Framework for Tropical Cyclones in Fiji and extended its pilot phase for a further two years to 2028, enabling early, forecast-based action to reduce disaster impacts on vulnerable communities and pressure on humanitarian response systems.
The revised Framework expands coverage to rainfall-driven flooding and other hazards, strengthens coordination across divisional, provincial and district levels, improves community awareness, and addresses sustainable financing and delivery arrangements.
Key triggers include forecast sustained winds of at least 64 knots in areas with populations of 5,000 or more, and 190mm of national average rainfall over 48 hours. Simulation exercises and continued refinement support timely activation.
The Framework also strengthens community-led preparedness, feedback mechanisms and targeted assistance, including voucher-based support for pregnant women and early-warning and cash-based assistance in the Eastern Division.
The extended pilot leverages on external financing, including Central Emergency Response Fund support secured by UNOCHA, with implementation through existing NDRMO and partner structures.
10. National E-Agriculture Strategy for Fiji
Cabinet endorsed the National E-Agriculture Strategy for Fiji 2026–2031, establishing a framework to accelerate digital technology use in agriculture and improve services, market access, data-driven decision-making and climate resilience.
Developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways with the Ministry of Communication and FAO technical assistance, the Strategy promotes technologies including mobile applications, digital farmer registries, geospatial systems, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, data analytics and online market platforms.
The Strategy focuses on five goals: strengthening digital foundations; building digital capacity and adoption; modernising agricultural services and governance; expanding digital markets and innovation; and promoting climate-smart and sustainable agri-food systems.
Implementation will be phased, with Phase 1 establishing digital foundations and infrastructure, and Phase 2 expanding adoption and institutionalising digital services.
An E-Agriculture National Steering Committee will oversee implementation, monitoring, policy and advocacy.
11. ADB Financing of FJD 464.7 million for Sustainable and Resilient Growth
Cabinet approved USD210 million (approximately FJD $464.7 million) in financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under Fiji’s Sustainable and Resilient Growth Programme – Subprogramme 2.
The financing comprises a USD200 million concessional loan to support fiscal and structural reforms and a USD10 million Contingent Disaster Financing facility for rapid access to funds following eligible disasters or energy and food price shocks.
Both facilities carry 1% annual interest with a 30-year repayment period, including a 10-year grace period. A Debt Deferral Clause also allows Fiji to defer principal and/or interest payments for up to 24 months following an eligible emergency and declaration 6
of a state of disaster. As at 31 July 2026, the Government debt stood at FJD $11.3 billion (81.0% of GDP) and is estimated to increase to FJD $11.8 billion (84.3% of GDP) once the ADB financing is fully drawn.
This financing will support reforms in digital systems, tax cooperation, access to finance and disaster risk management, within a broader development-partner framework focused on public financial management, sustainable economic growth and climate and community resilience.