29 October 2007

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Outlook Report Director, Mr Jon Day, is one of three Australians on a delegation recently appointed to be part of the prestigious World Heritage Committee.

Australia is one of 21 countries appointed to the United Nations’ committee, which works to advance the principles and integrity of the World Heritage Convention. The four-year appointment will enhance Australia's ability to be a leading manager of world heritage.

Mr Day was selected to be part of Australia’s team because of his substantial experience in planning and managing Australia’s natural world heritage areas, in particular the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area which is the largest world heritage area on Earth.

Mr Day says the Great Barrier Reef is a significant global resource.

“The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world’s richest and most complex natural ecosystems, and no other World Heritage Area contains such biodiversity.” 

“The fact that Australia has won a seat on this committee is a testament to Australia’s iconic natural and cultural heritage, as well as to our substantial expertise in the strategic, practical and adaptive management of these assets”.

Mr Day has worked for the GBRMPA for more than 20 years and was responsible for the organisation’s internationally recognised Representative Areas Programme (RAP), which received eleven international and national awards including the MAB/UNESCO Environmental Prize.

As well as his World Heritage responsibilities, Mr Day now has a new challenge at GBRMPA, heading up the production of a forward-looking ‘Outlook Report’ to assess the future for the Great Barrier Reef which is due to be finalised by mid 2009.