The Reef Authority acknowledges the release of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre's draft decision on the Great Barrier Reef , which does not recommend placing the Reef on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the UNSECO World Heritage List in 1981 for its Outstanding Universal Value, including its unique natural attributes, and enormous scientific and environmental importance.
The World Heritage Centre's draft decision recognises the ongoing commitment and enhanced collaborative efforts between the Australian and Queensland governments to address the key threats facing the Reef including climate change, water quality, fishing impacts, and Crown-of-thorns starfish.
The Reef Authority also acknowledges the time and expertise dedicated by the World Heritage Centre and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in assessing the issues facing the Great Barrier Reef and Australia's management of this World Heritage property.
Like coral reefs around the world, the Great Barrier Reef is under pressure from climate change. It also faces cumulative impacts from land-based run-off, coastal development, unsustainable fishing, and marine pollution. The Reef remains resilient, and effective marine park management continues to support its protection. The Reef's Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), as independently assessed in the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2024, remains whole and intact.
The draft decision also recognises the Reef Authority's Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) Control Program as an effective measure underpinning the protection of the Reef's Outstanding Universal Value ecosystem.
The Reef Authority will continue to deliver world-class marine management and protection of the Great Barrier Reef. We are working closely with Australian and Queensland government partners, Traditional Owners, industry, and the community to ensure the Great Barrier Reef remains resilient and healthy for future generations.
The draft decision will be formally considered by the World Heritage Committee during its 2026 meeting (19-29 July) in Busan, Republic of Korea.
