Invasive Alien Species

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Parties to CITES have recognized trade as one of the potential causes of introduction of invasive alien species and requested enhanced cooperation between CITES and the CBD on the issue of introductions of alien species that are potentially invasive (Resolution 13.10).

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was established to regulate all aspects of international civil aviation. ICAO has recognized the significance of civil aviation as a pathway for the introduction of invasive species and urged all member states to use national civil aviation authorities to assist in reducing the risk of introducing potentially invasive species to areas outside their natural range. ICAO is also developing best management practices.
(See Resolutions A32-9, A33-18 and A35-19)

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) oversees and supports the implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments which aims to prevent, minimize and ultimately eliminate the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through the control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments.

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international treaty to secure action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products, and to promote appropriate measures for their control. It is governed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) which adopts International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) that contribute to the international regulatory framework on invasive species. The website includes reports of occurrences of plant pests.

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) was founded in 1948 and brings together 78 states, 112 government agencies, 735 NGOs, 35 affiliates, and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.

The Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) is part of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the IUCN. The ISSG is a global group of 146 scientific and policy experts on invasive species from 41 countries. ISSG provides advice on threats from invasives and control or eradication methods to IUCN members, conservation practitioners, and policy-makers. The group's activities focus primarily on invasive species that cause biodiversity loss, with particular attention to those that threaten oceanic islands.

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) is an intergovernmental organization created by the International Agreement of 25 January 1924, signed by 28 countries. Amongst its objectives relevant to CBD's programme of work on IAS are: to ensure transparency in the global animal disease and zoonosis situation; to collect, analyze and disseminate scientific veterinary information; to provide expertise and encourage international solidarity in the control of animal diseases; within its mandate under the WTO SPS Agreement, to safeguard world trade by publishing health standards for international trade in animals and animal products.

The World Trafe Organization (WTO) regulates trade between countries through the negotiation of agreements. The WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS Agreement) sets basic rules in regards to food safety and plant and animal health within the context of international trade.

The FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), a subsidiary body of the FAO Council, was established by the FAO Conference at its Thirteenth Session in 1965. The Committee presently constitutes the only global inter-governmental forum where major international fisheries and aquaculture problems and issues are examined and recommendations addressed to governments, regional fishery bodies, NGOs, fishworkers, FAO and international community, periodically on a world-wide basis. COFI has also been used as a forum in which global agreements and non-binding instruments were negotiated.