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I don't quite understand why they use "due to" in this sentence. Can somenone explain it to me?

Unesco's World Heritage Committee is due to consider adding the reef to its list of sites that are "in danger".

Lexico/Oxford's explanation of due to doesn't help:

Caused by or ascribable to.
Because of; owing to.

If I substitute any of those four phrases for due to in the quote about Unesco, it still makes no sense.

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    In this context, due to = ready to.
    – Lawrence
    Commented Aug 31, 2019 at 9:11
  • You need to consider the meanings of "due" and "to" separately.
    – Hot Licks
    Commented Aug 31, 2019 at 11:48
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    It's perhaps not the best expression to use here; I'd choose 'scheduled/expected/ready/about [to]' depending on the level of certainty (that it will actually be done) I wish to convey. However: CED has << due [adjective] (EXPECTED) ... B1 expected to happen, arrive etc. at a particular time: What time is the next bus due? / The next meeting is due to be held in three months' time. /
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Jan 28, 2020 at 12:00
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    Their first baby is due in January. /// B2 in due course {formal} [mandated/scheduled/expected/ready/about to deliver on something] at a suitable time in the future: You will receive notification of the results in due course. / The present chairman is due to retire next month. / [The MPs are due to debate the new Brexit deal again on Monday.] / They backed out of the deal the day before they were due to sign the contract. / He's due to appear in court again on Monday. >> This latter is the relevant usage.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Jan 28, 2020 at 12:05

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You can substitute it with about to, meaning that they are going to do it soon.

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