The 47th session of the World Heritage Committee (47 COM) has concluded in Paris.
From 6 to 16 July, the Committee met to discuss important World Heritage matters.
The session brought several milestones for Australia's World Heritage. This includes a new World Heritage listing!
A new World Heritage listing
The Murujuga Cultural Landscape has been added to the World Heritage List. It's located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Murujuga has enormous cultural significance to First Nations people. The site is home to an estimated 1-2 million stone carvings, known as petroglyphs. These petroglyphs tell many stories of connection to Country and culture.
Murujuga is the second place in Australia to be added to the World Heritage List purely for its First Nations cultural values. This follows the listing of Budj Bim in 2019.
The nomination was led by the Ngarda-Ngardli -represented by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation-the Traditional Owners and Custodians who have cared for the landscape for thousands of years.
The nomination was supported by both the Australian and Western Australian governments.
Other positive World Heritage outcomes
Australia also progressed important updates for other World Heritage sites.
The Committee approved the official renaming of K'gari (previously Fraser Island), in line with the wishes of the Butchulla Traditional Owners.
Australia provided updates on the condition of:
- Great Barrier Reef
- Greater Blue Mountains Area
- Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.
The Committee acknowledged Australia's ongoing work to protect and manage these sites.
The Australian delegation contributed to a range of events on topics including:
- Building engagement of Indigenous Peoples within the framework of the World Heritage Convention
- Capacity building for World Heritage
- Australia's role in the Pacific region.
The achievements at 47 COM highlight Australia's strong commitment to protect its World Heritage properties.
Australia will continue to care for these special sites in close partnership with First Nations people.
