Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss, and negatively impact nature contributions to people, food and water security, and human health, and are therefore a critical barrier to achieving the goals set out in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). Recent findings from the global review of collective progress highlight that implementation remains significantly off track, with fewer than one-third of national targets on IAS currently on track for achievement. There is clearly an urgent need for a coordinated, strategic, and scalable global response to IAS if Target 6 is to be met.

 

The side event will present a new IUCN Union-wide Strategy on IAS (2027 - 2030) that aims to scale collaboration across IUCN Commissions, Secretariat, and Members and with additional partners, focusing efforts and resource mobilisation on priority areas to maximise impact to accelerate implementation of Target 6 through a whole-of-society approach across national, subnational, and regional levels.

Speakers will highlight key systemic challenges, including gaps in institutional capacity, access to data, early warning systems, and financial resources, as well as fragmentation in global coordination. These insights will be complemented by examples of progress across initiatives, on data provision, capacity building with public and private stakeholders, financing, and on-the-ground implementation. The event will also provide a platform for government representatives and other organisations, including members of the CBD Inter-Agency Liaison Group on IAS, to share their implementation needs and priorities.