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Integrated Decision-Making
Major Groups
Science
Information
International Law
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The Sustainable Development Bill gives effect to the compulsory process of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) by all Government ministries, departments and agencies for all proposed developments, undertakings or activities which are likely to have an adverse effect on human health, society or the environment. All EIA reports are to be submitted to the Environmental Assessment Administrator of the Department of Environment for an assessment; the recommendations are subsequently submitted to the National Council for Sustainable Development for approval.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The Government's document "Opportunities for Growth", published in 1993,
contains policies and strategies for sustainable development. Based on the recognition of
the twin requirements of a high quality of life and a better environment, the Government's
policy on sustainable development includes the following elements:
(i) ensuring that renewable resources are used in a sustainable manner;
(ii) ensuring that environmental management is an integral part of the planning and
development process;
(iii) strengthening of institutional capacity for sound environment management;
(iv) use of environmental impact assessment studies for new project proposals;
(v) ensuring that environmental expenditures are prioritized on the basis of best
estimates of their contribution to socio-economic development.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Fiji's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: May 1997
For Government contacts in Fiji, click
here.
For information on Environmental Law around the
World, click here:
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WOMEN
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Department of Women is also involved in completing a National Implementation Plan for Women which will address the commitments made by the Government at the UN Conference on Women.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was acceded 28 August 1995.
Fiji's first report to the CEDAW Committee is being finalized; the Fiji Law Reform Committee is working in the area of Family Law and the Department has already made its submission. The Department of Women has also commissioned a paper on a "Review of Laws that Discriminate Against Women", following a commitment made at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, September 1995).
A Cabinet decision in 1996 urged relevant authorities to increase women's membership by 30-50% in the next 3 to 5 years; and those Boards and Committees that do not have women should have them in the immediate future.
Regarding submissions for the Sustainable Development Bill, the Department responsible for these matters is represented in the Working Committee on the "Year of the Coral". It has facilitated workshops and environment education programmes for women in the rural and urban communities. It has also provided support for funding applications and other NGO programmes on the environment. Future plans are to mainstream gender balance into all environmental policies and programmes.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
NGOs are very active in this area of concern.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
In 1993, the percentage of women members on Boards and Committees was 9.7%; in 1996, it
increased to 13.3%.
However, the percentage of women in government decreased from 25% (3 out of 12) in 1992 to
6.6% (1/15) in 1996, and the percentage of women in parliament decreased from 42% (3/70)
in 1992 to 2.8% (2/70) in 1996. The percentage of women at local government level
increased from 4% (6/159) in 1992 to 9.4% (13/138) in 1996.
No action has been taken yet in order to integrate gender-relevant knowledge in curricula and educational material.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Fiji's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: May 1997
For information on Women Watch in
different countries, click here:
For information on national
plans of action in the follow-up to the Beijing Conference, click here:
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The following youth organizations are involved in a dialogue with Government:
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are the concern of youth programmes in Fiji. In 1996, these constituted about 20 percent of the total population. While in formal terms the programmes are targeted to every age group, much of the effort is focused in mobilizing and training unemployed youth and school leavers in various capacities to broaden and facilitate career development and self-employment.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No
information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No
information is available.
Status
No
information is available.
Challenges
The problem is not so much having access to appropriate secondary education or vocational training as the limited opportunities for paid employment. This problem has intensified in recent years due to a greater number of rural youth seeking employment in urban areas. In 1992, youth unemployment was 16.4%.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Fiji's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: May 1997
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Indigenous people fully participate in national policy processes.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is
available.
Policies and legal instruments to empower indigenous people and their communities are in place.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Mechanisms for the involvement of indigenous people in resource management strategies and programmes are being discussed.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Fiji's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: May 1997
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
FOOSS as the representative NGO umbrella organization participates in
government-established bodies, such as:
- the Department of Environment Committees (e.g. the Environment Week Committee and the
Coral Reef Steering Committee);
- the National Disaster Management Council;
- the National Squatter Council; and
- the Technical Working Group on Poverty Alleviation.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Among the activities undertaken for environment awareness are:
- Publication of Sustainable Development issues in the quarterly "Voluntary Action
Network";
- Posters conveying messages for a sustainable livelihood;
- Dissemination of sustainable development articles to key organizations;
- Inclusion of environmental impact studies in all projects seeking grants;
- Inclusion of sustainable development as a key topic in all civil society executive
training programmes including the training of school managers.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Fiji's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: May 1997
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
The Government supports Local Agenda 21 initiatives. While local authorities have not formed Local Agenda 21s, they have adapted policies in pursuance of sustainable development. They have been guided by national policies e.g. on the preservation of mangroves, the conservation of wildlife and forest, coral reefs, waste disposal, littering in public places and pollution of the air, rivers and seas.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Fiji's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: May 1997
WORKERS AND TRADE UNIONS
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
In promoting and strengthening the role of the workers and their Trade Union, Fiji has done the following:
(a) Promoting Ratification of ILO Conventions
Fiji has ratified three out of the seven core Conventions, in addition to fourteen
others, making a total of 17 ratifications so far. With the recent amendments of its
labour legislation, Fiji would be in a position to ratify Convention No. 87 dealing with
Freedom of Association and the Protection of the Right to Organize Convention 1948. This
would bring the number of core conventions ratified to four, leaving a balance of three
which could be ratified before the Year 2000. The conventions concerned are Convention
No. 100 concerning Equal Remuneration 1951; Convention No. 111 on Discrimination
(Employment and Occupation) 1958, and Convention No. 138 dealing with the Minimum Age
1973.
(b) Establishing Bipartite and Tripartite Mechanisms on Safety, Health and
Sustainable Development
The tripartite mechanism on safety and health is provided for in the newly enacted
Health and Safety at Work Act 1996, which came into force on 1 November 1997. The
Tripartite National Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Board established by the said
Act would deal with the subject assisted by the Health and Safety Committees and the
Health and Safety Representatives.
(c) Increasing Number of Environmental Collective Agreements
The Act is now in place and its impact will automatically influence negotiations in
collective agreements to encompass environmentally friendly conditions to be drawn up.
This impact could be more accurately gauged after a period of five or more years.
(d) Reducing Occupational Accidents and Injuries
The new Health and Safety at Work Act 1996 has shifted the responsibility of looking
after the safety of workers to the workers themselves. As such, the emphasis would be
placed on the concept of a safe workplace instead of a safe worker. This arrangement will
compel employers to discuss the matter with workers and their representatives as to what
is needed to create a safe workplace and thus reduce accidents and injuries.
(e) Increasing Workers' Education and Training Efforts
For any change to be effective in the workplace, increased education and training of
the workers concerned is essential. To assist in this area, the Ministry responsible
(under the new Health and Safety at Work Act) will be monitoring any injuries sustained in
the various industries with a view to conducting training courses specifically geared to
addressing those areas identified where further training is needed.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Workers' views, apart from those obtained through the National Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Board, could also be obtained from the tripartite Labour Advisory Board, the existing eight Wage Councils and the Tripartite Forum.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Fiji's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: May 1997
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
No information available.
* * *
SCIENCE
No information available.
* * *
FARMERS
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forests & ALTA (MAFF&A) is committed to agricultural sustainability.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
Legislation for land conservation already exists and the Ministry of Agriculture has an Environmental Technical Committee.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
MAFF&A recognizes that problems of land and water degradation exist in Fiji, and it is formulating policies and practices to minimize them and their impact.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) works closely with the Fiji Sugar Cane Growers' Council and the Ministry of Agriculture attends all Provincial Council Meetings.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
As a developing nation, Fiji farmers cannot enjoy the same choices as farmers from
developed nations. Moreover, there are no specific financial incentives for farmers in
Fiji to conserve their land. Therefore, many challenges lie ahead for Fijian agriculture
to ensure long-term sustainability.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Sustainable farming practices and technologies are being promoted through applied research, crop and livestock extension programmes, the mass media and practical demonstrations.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Fiji's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: May 1997
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
No information is available.
Emphasis is placed on technical vocational training to meet market demand.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
School buildings have been upgraded, scientific equipment of schools and teacher training have been improved.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
A database on a national programme on human resources for planning purposes is being established.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Fiji's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: May 1997
| Fiji | All Countries | Home |
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
The following matrix gives an overview of how national authorities rate the availability of information for decision-making:
<Rating of available data and information suitable for decision-making>
Agenda 21 Chapters |
Very good |
Good |
Some good data but many gaps |
Poor |
Remarks |
|
| 2. | International cooperation and trade | * |
||||
| 3. | Combating poverty | * |
||||
| 4. | Changing consumption patterns | * |
||||
| 5. | Demographic dynamics and sustainability | * |
||||
| 6. | Human health | * |
||||
| 7. | Human settlements | * |
||||
| 8. | Integrating E & D in decision-making | * |
||||
| 9. | Protection of the atmosphere | * |
||||
| 10. | Integrated planning and management of land resources | * |
||||
| 11. | Combating deforestation | * |
||||
| 12. | Combating desertification and drought | * |
||||
| 13. | Sustainable mountain development | N/A |
||||
| 14. | Sustainable agriculture and rural development | N/A |
||||
| 15. | Conservation of biological diversity | * |
||||
| 16. | Biotechnology | * |
||||
| 17. | Oceans, seas, coastal areas and their living resources | * |
||||
| 18. | Freshwater resources | * |
||||
| 19. | Toxic chemicals | * |
||||
| 20. | Hazardous wastes | * |
N/A |
|||
| 21. | Solid wastes | * |
||||
| 22. | Radioactive wastes | * |
||||
| 24. | Women in sustainable development | * |
||||
| 25. | Children and youth | * |
||||
| 26. | Indigenous people | * |
||||
| 27. | Non-governmental organizations | * |
||||
| 28. | Local authorities | * |
||||
| 29. | Workers and trade unions | |||||
| 30. | Business and industry | * |
||||
| 31. | Scientific and technological community | * |
||||
| 32. | Farmers | * |
* |
|||
| 33. | Financial resources and mechanisms | * |
||||
| 34. | Technology, cooperation and capacity-building | * |
||||
| 35. | Science for sustainable development | * |
||||
| 36. | Education, public awareness and training | * |
||||
| 37. | International cooperation for capacity-building | * |
||||
| 38. | International institutional arrangements | * |
||||
| 39. | International legal instruments | * |
||||
| 40. | Information for decision-making | * |
||||
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Fiji's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: May 1997
| Fiji | All Countries | Home |
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is
available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is
available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is
available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is
available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is
available.
Status
No information is
available.
Challenges
No information is
available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is
available.
Information
No information is
available.
Research and Technologies
No information is
available.
Financing
No information is
available.
Fiji became a Party to the following Agreements on the dates indicated:
| CONVENTION | DATE |
| 1. Convention on the High Seas | 1970 |
| 2. International Plant Protection Agreement | 1956 |
| 3. Convention on the Continental Shelf | 1970 |
| 4. Convention on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources of the High Seas | 1971 |
| 5. Plant Protection Agreement for South East Asia | 1971 |
| 6. Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, Outer Space and Underwater | 1972 |
| 7. Treaty on Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons | 1972 |
| 8. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil | 1972 |
| 9. Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological and Toxin Weapons and their Destruction | 1973 |
| 10. International Atomic Energy Agency | 1973 |
| 11. International Convention Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties | 1975 |
| 12. International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage | 1975 |
| 13. South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency Convention | 1979 |
| 14. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea | 1982 |
| 15. International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage | 1983 |
| 16. South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty and Protocol | 1985 |
| 17. Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer | 1989 |
| 18. Convention on the Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific (Apia Convention) | 1989 |
| 19. Convention for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment of the South Pacific and their Related Protocols (SPREP Convention) | 1989 |
| 20. Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage | 1990 |
| 21. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | 1992 |
| 22. Convention on Biological Diversity | 1992 |
| 23. Trans-Boundary Movement of Hazardous Waste in the South Pacific Region (Waigani Convention) | 1996 |
* * *
This information is based on Fiji's submission to the 5th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: May 1997
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