The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is internationally recognised for its outstanding biodiversity. The World Heritage status of the Reef recognises its great diversity of species and habitats. Conserving the Reef's biodiversity is not just desirable - it is essential. By protecting biodiversity, we are protecting our future and our children's future. The Great Barrier Reef received world heritage status in 1981, the first coral reef ecosystem in the world to have this distinction. It was inscribed by the World Heritage Committee for its ‘outstanding universal value’. Under the World Heritage Convention a property is considered to have outstanding universal value if it is of “cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity”. It must also meet one or more of 10 criteria. The Great Barrier Reef is listed for all four of the world heritage natural criteria. Today, every world heritage property is required to have a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value. This statement is regarded by UNESCO as the "basis for the future protection and management of the property" and is the benchmark against which the state of conservation of the property is periodically assessed.