The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided whether it will designate the reef as ‘in danger’

THE Great Barrier Reef on Friday night avoided being labelled “in danger” by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee - for now.

THE Great Barrier Reef on Friday night avoided being labelled “in danger” by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

The decision came after weeks of controversy and allegations of influence from the Chinese government.

One by one, many representatives of member countries got up to support an amendment to the committee’s draft decision that would defer a decision on whether to place the Great Barrier Reef on the “in danger” list until 2023.

The amendment will also see a reactive monitoring mission visit the reef to report back to the committee.

Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef Warren Entsch described the decision as a “strong message for UNESCO to actually get off their arses and come to Australia and have a look (at the reef) themselves”.

He said he was relieved by the committee’s course of action.

“It’s an overwhelming acknowledgement from those UNESCO committee members that Australia - collectively - is doing a lot of great work there,” he said.

Bahrain, the country which submitted the amendment to the committee, said Australia had “demonstrated a clear and unwavering set of actions as a result of concerns brought by the committee”.

Snorkellers at Flynn Reef.

A number of member countries noted the impact climate change was having on the Great Barrier Reef, which was not an issue Australia could address on its own.

After more than half an hour of discussion, it became clear there was an emerging consensus among committee members that Australia be given more time to avoid the Great Barrier Reef being listed as in danger.

The committee also requested Australia submit to the World Heritage Centre by December 2022 an updated report on the state of the reef.

All up, 20 of the 21 committee members voted for Bahrain’s amendment, including China.

The only country which voted against the amendment was Norway.

Speaking after the decision, representatives from the World Wild Fund – Australia, who was also speaking on behalf of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, said the original draft decision to list the Great Barrier Reef as “in danger” was put forward based on the “best available science” and was a recommendation that was supported by “leading reef scientists all around the world”.

“Regrettably the decision made today delays action by one year,” the representative told the committee.

Originally published as The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided whether it will designate the reef as ‘in danger’