Great Barrier Reef to receive international Terra Award for global conservation leadership
The Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most important natural ecosystems and a global symbol of environmental urgency, will receive the Terra Award 2026, an international recognition of leadership in conservation and environmental stewardship.
The Terra Awards are organised by the DIARIO DE AVISOS Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in the Canary Islands, Spain, in collaboration with UNESCO.
Now in their fifth edition, the awards recognise outstanding contributions to the protection, conservation and sustainable management of both natural and cultural heritage worldwide.
Driven by the foundation’s commitment to culture, sustainability and social impact, the Terra Awards have established themselves as an international platform that brings together emblematic heritage sites, leading experts and institutions from across the globe.
The 2026 edition will honour:
- The Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
- Machu Picchu (Peru)
- The Historic Centre and Old Bridge of Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Mariachi (Mexico), as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
- Miguel Delibes de Castro (Spain), for lifetime achievement in biodiversity conservation
Beyond recognition, the initiative aims to foster international dialogue and highlight the urgent need to protect heritage in the face of environmental and societal challenges.
The DIARIO DE AVISOS Foundation, established in 2017, promotes projects linked to environmental awareness, cultural heritage, education, innovation and social development, positioning itself as a driving force for public-interest initiatives in the Canary Islands and beyond.
The Great Barrier Reef: a global benchmark in conservation
Stretching over 2,300 kilometres along Australia’s north-east coast, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth and one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, it has become a key global reference point in climate research and environmental resilience. Increasing ocean temperatures, coral bleaching and extreme weather events have placed the reef at the centre of international scientific attention.
At the same time, it represents one of the most advanced examples of large-scale ecosystem management, supported by continuous monitoring systems, restoration initiatives and global scientific collaboration.
The Terra Award recognises not only its ecological value, but also its role as a global symbol of the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems.
La Laguna: a UNESCO World Heritage city hosting a global event
The awards ceremony will take place tonight, Thursday 23rd April 2026, at the Teatro Leal, in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage city on the island of Tenerife.
With its historic urban layout and strong cultural identity, La Laguna provides a fitting setting for an event that brings together international delegations, institutional representatives and experts committed to safeguarding global heritage.
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