China denies politics behind UNESCO move on Barrier Reef

• Integrity Education, Delhi
• 19, Jul 2021

Context: UNESCO said the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) should be put on a list of World Heritage Sites that are "in danger" due to the damage it has suffered.

China Angle: Deputy Education Minister Tian Xuejun is chairing the meeting of the UN cultural agency’s heritage committee that will decide the faith of GBR.

About World Heritage Committee

• The World Heritage Committee meets once a year, and consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention elected by their General Assembly.
• The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.
• It has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List.
• It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties and asks States Parties to take action when properties are not being properly managed.
• It also decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Strategic Objectives (5Cs) of the World Heritage Convention

• Credibility: Strengthen the Credibility of the World Heritage List.
• Conservation: Ensure the effective Conservation of World Heritage properties.
• Capacity-building: Promote the development of Capacity-building measures.
• Communication: Increase public awareness, involvement and support for World Heritage through Communication.
• Communities: Enhance the role of Communities in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.

The 21 States Parties of the current World Heritage Committee

• Australia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Brazil, China, Egypt
• Ethiopia, Guatemala, Hungary
• Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Nigeria
• Norway, Oman, Russian Federation
• Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saudi Arabia
• South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Uganda