The CBD and its programme of work on invasive alien species

1. The CBD and its programme of work on invasive alien species Robert Höft Environmental Affairs Officer Scientific, Technical and Technological Matters Division Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity robert.hoft@biodiv.org

2. Convention on Biological Diversity • Opened for signature at UNCED “Earth Summit” in Rio 1992 • Entered into force in December 1993 • 187 Parties • Conference of the Parties (COP) • Subsidiary Body and Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) • Open-ended working groups and access and benefit sharing and Article 8j • Secretariat in Montreal International workshop on Invasive Alien Species and the International Plant Protection Convention, Braunschweig, Germany, 22-26 September 2003

3. Convention on Biological Diversity • Invasive alien species • Article 8 (h): Prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten, ecosystems, habitats or species; • Living modified organisms • Article 8 (g): Establish or maintain means to regulate, manage or control the risks associated with the use and release of living modified organisms … • Article 19: Handling of biotechnology and distribution of its benefits International workshop on Invasive Alien Species and the International Plant Protection Convention, Braunschweig, Germany, 22-26 September 2003

4. Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol to the CBD Scope of the Cartagena Protocol (Article 4): This protocol shall apply to the transboundary movement, transit, handling and use of all living organisms that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity taking also into account risks to human health. International workshop on Invasive Alien Species and the International Plant Protection Convention, Braunschweig, Germany, 22-26 September 2003

5. Convention on Biological Diversity Programme of work on invasive alien species • Adoption of 15 guiding principles for the implementation of Article 8(h) • A toolkit of best prevention and management practices prepared by GISP • A guide to designing legal and institutional frameworks on alien invasive species prepared by IUCN • Various pilot assessment:Impacts of IAS on island ecosystems Socio-economic impacts of IAS International workshop on Invasive Alien Species and the International Plant Protection Convention, Braunschweig, Germany, 22-26 September 2003

6. Convention on Biological Diversity • The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the CBD has emphasized the need for international cooperation on the threats posed by invasive alien species. • COP has acknowledged the role of IPPC in addressing invasive alien species, recommended that Parties consider ratifying the IPPC and invited collaboration on the elaboration of standards and agreements. • COP has recommended that threats to biodiversity posed by alien species are incorporated in the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). • There has been close collaboration in the development of the supplement to ISPM#11 (pest risk analysis for living modified organisms). • There are opportunities for further collaboration such as on the revision of ISPM#3 (the code of conduct for the import and release of exotic biological control agents). International workshop on Invasive Alien Species and the International Plant Protection Convention, Braunschweig, Germany, 22-26 September 2003

7. Convention on Biological Diversity • The CBD and IPPC work in partnership on: • selected strategy elements of the Global Taxonomic Initiative • the International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP) • the "International Portal for Food Safety, Plant and Animal Health" International workshop on Invasive Alien Species and the International Plant Protection Convention, Braunschweig, Germany, 22-26 September 2003

8. Next steps: • Identification of gaps and inconsistencies in regulatory frameworks • Further collaboration on the development/revision of standards • Memorandum of Understanding between CBD and the IPPC • Joint PoW on IAS with GISP, Ramsar, Int. Maritime Org., IPPC and other relevant bodies • Research and assessments International workshop on Invasive Alien Species and the International Plant Protection Convention, Braunschweig, Germany, 22-26 September 2003