The Work Programme on Invasive Alien Species under the Convention on Biological Diversity

1. The Work Programme on Invasive Alien Species under the Convention on Biological Diversity Ryan Hill and Jo Mulongoy Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

2. Outline • Background and Article 8(h) • Key aspects of COP decisions • Current activities • Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) meeting (May 2005) • Future work and the comprehensive review at COP-9 • Joint work plan of CBD-IPPC Secretariats

3. What is the CBD? • The CBD was one of three conventions agreed by governments at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, and has three objectives: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising • Currently has 188 Parties • Governing body is the Conference of the Parties (COP) • COP-8 is scheduled for March 2006

4. Article 8(h) Each Contracting Party shall, as far as possible and as appropriate:… (h) Prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species. * IAS is one of 17 cross-cutting issues under the convention

5. Decisions IV/1C and V/8 • Established alien species as a cross-cutting issue under the CBD • Called on Parties to submit case studies, develop mechanisms for transboundary and multilateral cooperation, develop education and awareness measures • Stressed the important role of the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP), requested it to develop a global strategy, and urged financial support for its activities • Requested the ES to cooperate with a number of relevant bodies, including IPPC and FAO

6. Decision VI/23 • Adopted Guiding Principles for the Prevention, Introduction and Mitigation of Impacts of Alien Species that Threaten Ecosystems, Habitats or Species • Recommended that Parties ratify the IPPC and work to enhance its implementation • Invited IPPC and others to consider, in their work, the impacts of IAS on biodiversity • Encouraged governments to address IAS in national strategies and action plans • Urged Parties, governments and organizations to promote and carry out various research and assessments • Invited numerous organizations to take IAS into account, including FAO

7. Decision VI/23 continued • Urged GISP and others to evaluate particular pathways for introductions of IAS • Welcomed phase II of GISP, encouraged governments and organizations to support GISP, and requested the ES to continue to collaborate with GISP • Invited IMO, GISP, FAO and the Convention on Wetlands to work together to develop a cooperative initiative to address impediments to the management of marine IAS • Decided that the CHM would be used to facilitate cooperation, with GISP as the focal point • Requested ES in cooperation with GISP and others to compile information, identify issues, and develop a joint work programme through the GISP partnership among CBD, Convention on Wetlands, IMO, IPPC, etc. • Requested ES to integrate IAS into thematic work programmes • Requested the ES to explore means for capacity enhancement

8. Decision VII/13 • Requested ES to strengthen institutional coordination with a number of specific international organizations, including FAO • Specifically requested a joint work plan with the IPPC secretariat • Recognized the importance of IAS as a trade-related issue • Emphasized importance of collaboration with GISP and its participating organizations in addressing IAS and implementing COP decisions • Invited funding institutions and development agencies to support developing countries in addressing IAS • Requested ES to facilitate sharing of best practices and lessons learned • Noted that gaps and inconsistencies exist in the international regulatory framework for IAS and requested SBSTTA to establish an ad hoc technical expert group to address those gaps

9. Thematic work programmes address IAS, usually with reference to prevention of introduction, mitigation, control and/or eradication as appropriate. Forests (COP-6) Dry and sub-humid lands (COP-5, COP-7) Agricultural biodiversity (COP-5, COP-6) Inland waters (COP-7: detailed list of activities) Marine and coastal (COP-7: detailed list of activities) Mountains (COP-7) Islands (to be considered by COP-8) Other Relevant Decisions

10. Current Activities • AHTEG (ad hoc technical expert group) meeting on gaps and inconsistencies in the international regulatory framework for IAS • GISP workshop on marine and coastal IAS • Continued development of the Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN)

11. AHTEG • 16-20 May 2005, Auckland, New Zealand • 13 experts plus 10 observers, including IPPC secretariat and ICPM bureau • Full report available on CBD website

12. AHTEG Conclusions General Conclusions: • Gaps at international level do not necessarily limit the ability of governments to address those gaps • For most pathways, the key problem is national capacity for implementation of Article 8(h) • Collaboration among international bodies and instruments is important in addressing IAS

13. AHTEG – Gaps Identified 1. Lack of international standards to address animals that are IAS but are not pests of plants under IPPC The AHTEG recommended CBD, FAO, OIE, IPPC, WTO and others discuss options to address this gap, which may include (a) expansion of OIE’s mandate, (b) development of a new instrument or binding requirements under an existing instrument, or (c) development of non-binding guidance.

14. AHTEG – Gaps Identified 2. Hull Fouling • Reiterate CBD call to IMO to address the issue • Encourage governments to develop national controls • Encourage governments to raise the issue at IMO and at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting • Invite UNICPOLOS to address issues outside IMO mandate 3. Civil Air Transport • Welcome ICAO’s resolution to address IAS • Encourage ICAO to work with CBD and IPPC • Encourage collaboration among agencies at national level so that IAS are raised at ICAO

15. AHTEG – Gaps Identified • Aquaculture / mariculture • Ballast water • Military activities • Emergency relief, aid and response • International development assistance • Scientific research • Tourists • Pets, aquarium species, live bait and live food

16. AHTEG – Gaps Identified • Biocontrol agents (those not covered by IPPC) • Ex-situ animal breeding programmes • Incentive schemes (including carbon credits) • Inter-basin water transfer and canals • Unintended protection of IAS (e.g., in protected areas) • Inconsistency in terminology

17. Future Work • SBSTTA-11 to consider the AHTEG report and make recommendations to COP-8 • COP-8 may request additional work • In-depth review of IAS under the CBD will take place at COP-9

18. Joint Work Plan of CBD-IPPC Secretariats • Investigate possible collaboration between the governing bodies (COP and ICPM) • Collaboration on IPPC standards • Collaboration on CBD-work of relevance to IPPC (e.g., IAS AHTEG; risk assessment related to biosafety) • Terminology including the glossary of phytosanitary terms • Synergies related to capacity-building • Website information-sharing (e.g., IPP, IPFSAPH, BCH)

19. Further Information • The CBD Secretariat • Montreal, Canada • Email: secretariat@biodiv.orgTel: + 1 514 288-3330Fax: + 1 514 288-6588 • The CBD Website – www.biodiv.org