Mosese Raqio 
[Photo: FIJI GOVERNMENT/ FACEBOOK]
Cabinet has agreed that Fiji will accede to the Rotterdam Convention, a major international agreement aimed at strengthening controls over the trade and use of hazardous chemicals and pesticides.
The decision will make Fiji a party to the Prior Informed Consent procedure, which ensures countries are properly informed about the risks of certain hazardous chemicals before they are imported.
Fiji relies heavily on imported pesticides and industrial chemicals, particularly in the farming and manufacturing sectors. However, the country currently faces gaps in technical expertise, monitoring systems and emergency response protocols for chemical incidents such as spills or misuse.
By joining the Rotterdam Convention, Fiji will strengthen national chemical management, improve oversight of imports and trade, and enhance safety standards across the agriculture and industrial sectors.
The move is expected to support better protection for workers, communities and the environment, while aligning Fiji with international best practice in managing hazardous substances.
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