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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has proposed downgrading the health status of the Great Barrier Reef, declaring it “in danger”.
In a report released by the UNESCO’S World Heritage Committee, the Australian Government’s progress to protect the reef has been declared insufficient, particularly in relation to water quality.
The draft decision, announced on Friday, will be presented for ratification at the 44th meeting of the World Heritage Committee from July 16.
The World Heritage Committee is currently chaired by China’s Vice-Minister for Education Tian Xuejun.
Australia's government has lashed out after a United Nations report claimed it had not done enough to protect the Great Barrier Reef from climate change.
ReplyDeleteUN body Unesco said the reef should be put on a list of World Heritage Sites that are "in danger" due to the damage it has suffered.
Key targets on improving water quality had not been met, it said.
Environment minister Sussan Ley said UN experts had reneged on past assurances.
She confirmed that Australia planned to challenge the listing, which would take place at a meeting next month, saying: "Clearly there were politics behind it; clearly those politics have subverted a proper process."
The World Heritage Committee is a 21-nation group chaired by China, which has had a vexed diplomatic relationship with Canberra in recent years....bbc