Cabinet has approved the review of the Forest Act 1992 and the Petroleum Act 1938 and Regulations.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said the Forest Act primarily focused on forest and forest produce.
Policies pertaining to forest conservation and sustainable forest management have developed over the years, but the Act does not really address such developments.
The review is to update present deficiencies in guidelines and processes to align with national developments particularly in the climate change space, our treaty commitments, and international best practices.
The review will be led by the Ministry of Forestry and informed by a comprehensive consultation process with all relevant stakeholders.
The second law, the 85-year-old Petroleum Act provides for the private sector to supply, transport and store fuel and was first enacted as an ordinance in 1938.
The Act requires updating to meet modern-day challenges in the petroleum sector including market and technological developments, national and global climate change commitments and to remove some lack of clarity in the Act.
A technical working group including key stakeholders will be formed to guide the direction of the review.
