Search

4.2. Fiji is currently in the process of negotiating the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, and continues to actively participate in the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) States integration and in the multilateral trading system.

4.8. The primary objectives of Fiji's trade policy are as follows:
(...)
- To facilitate the mainstreaming of gender, environmental protection and other related policies to ensure coordination and policy coherence.

4.23. Fiji is currently negotiating the IPEF [Indo-Pacific Economic Framework]. The IPEF is a United States-led initiative and was launched by partners in May 2022. (...) IPEF has four pillars: i) trade, ii) supply chain, iii) clean economy, and iv) anti-corruption and taxation.

4.24. IPEF [Indo-Pacific Economic Framework] provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to Fiji's ambition of trade development, supply chain resilience, long-term climate ambition, and preventing and combatting corruption and curbing tax evasion. Fiji, as a small island developing state, is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, trade shocks caused by external factors, and global supply chain disruptions. Therefore, we are committed to participating in international initiatives, such as the IPEF, that aim to address these vulnerabilities through a multi-faceted approach that involves building resilience and promoting sustainable economic development.

4.25. Fiji was negotiating the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) initiative with Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland. The ACCTS initiative was launched in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in 2019. It aims to create synergies between trade, climate and environmental goals. The Agreement has four substantive elements: trade in environmental goods, trade in environmental services, fossil fuel subsidies reform and voluntary eco-labelling programmes.

5.3. Fiji is participating in the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD). Fiji, together with other WTO Members, have launched an open-ended informal dialogue on plastics pollution and environmentally sustainable plastics trade. It is also a co-sponsor of the Ministerial Statement on Fossil Fuel Subsidies. Fiji will continue seeking meaningful market access and outcomes in the negotiations that support the development aspirations of Fiji and facilitate the smooth integration of the country into a rules-based global trading system.

6.2. However, Fiji continues to face challenges stemming from limited access to foreign markets and barriers to trade, high transportation costs, and vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters and other exogenous shocks. These ongoing challenges were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted Fiji's tourism industry and exports.

1. Fiji is an archipelago classified as an upper middle income country, with a high human development index. Its economy is largely exposed to the effects of climate change and frequent extreme weather episodes. In 2016, for example, a tropical cyclone destroyed physical infrastructure and led to a significant loss in agricultural production. Investments related to post cyclone reconstruction work contributed to GDP growth. (...)

3. Fiji's strategic vision, as highlighted in its Development Plan, places emphasis on, inter alia, (...) and building an environmentally sustainable economy. (...)

4. (...) The Prime Minister became responsible for foreign affairs, climate change, environment, civil service, information, public enterprises, and veteran affairs. During the review period, Fiji also enacted some new or amended trade related laws in areas such as investment, commerce, customs, taxation, standards, intellectual property, agriculture, land, energy, environment, health, financial services, telecommunications and audiovisual services, road and maritime transport, and tourism.