Australia has submitted an updated 'State Party' report on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area reflecting the Morrison Government's strong commitment to the best reef management in the world and detailing its $1billion increase in reef funding.
In a joint letter to the Committee, Prime Minister Morrison and Minister Ley have written to the Director of the World Heritage Centre, Mr Lazare Eloundou Assomo, to highlight the world leading scientific research and management strategies being implemented, and to reaffirm Australia's invitation to host a 'reactive mission' that will provide the Committee with a first-hand insight into their success.
"Reefs around the world are under pressure from warming oceans and in the face of that the Morrison Government's leadership in Reef management and reef science is second to none," Minister Ley said.
"Our investments in world-leading science, climate adaptation technologies, water quality improvement projects, Crown-of-Thorns Starfish control, reef habitat restoration, and threatened species projects are strengthening the resilience of the reef.
"We need global action on climate change through the appropriate UN bodies to address the major external threat to the Reef, but we also need to recognise the vital importance of the work the Government is supporting through scientists, farmers, Traditional Owners, local communities and Tourism operators, as part of our efforts to ensure the long-term health of our iconic Great Barrier Reef.
"These were the points we raised with the World Heritage Committee last year, and they are why it is so important for them to come down and see first-hand the important work that is taking place.
Australia has also provided an updated State Party report on the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area to the World Heritage Committee. This report highlights that Australia has responded to all elements of a 2021 Decision of the Committee, and fully implemented or substantially progressed all recommendations of the 2015 Reactive Monitoring Mission to the property.
State Party report on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area: https://www.awe.gov.au/parks-heritage/heritage/places/world/gbr#protecting-the-reef
State Party report on the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area: https://www.awe.gov.au/parks-heritage/heritage/places/world/tasmanian-wilderness
