The Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement 2015, signed by the Prime Minister and Queensland Premier, provides a framework for the Australian and Queensland governments to work together to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

The 2015 Agreement reflects the shared vision for the future outlined in the Reef 2050 Plan and renews the Australian and Queensland government's commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, including its Outstanding Universal Value.

The Ministerial Forum is comprised of two ministers, each from the Australian and Queensland governments, with responsibility for matters relating to the environment and marine parks, science, tourism and/or natural resource management. Ministers responsible for mining may not be members.

• The current members are:
• The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP - Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Water (Chair)
• In accordance with the Intergovernmental Agreement, the second Australian Government Minister will be appointed by the Prime Minister
• The Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk - Premier of Queensland, Minister for Trade
• The Hon Leeanne Enoch - Queensland Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts
• The Ministerial Forum's role is set out in the Intergovernmental Agreement. Protocols for its operation are set out in a schedule to the Agreement.

The Ministerial Council met 32 times under the 1979 Emerald Agreement. The Ministerial Council held its first meeting under the new Intergovernmental Agreement on 3 July 2009. The Ministerial Forum held its first meeting on 12 August 2011. Meeting outcomes are reported in the Great Barrier Reef Ministerial Council Communiqué.