• take appropriate measures to conserve biological diversity
• ensure the sustainable use of biological resources, and
• promote the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources.

Invasive species

Article 8(h) of the Convention calls on Parties to "prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats, or species".

Considered a cross-cutting issue within the Convention, invasive alien species are addressed in various thematic areas. A compilation of information relating to invasive alien species - including COP decisions, case studies and other documents - can be accessed from the CBD website at:
http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/cross-cutting/alien/default.aspx

GISP and the CBD

In June 2001, a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) was signed between the Secretariat and the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP). The purpose of this MOC was to assist the Secretariat in developing a pilot initiative on invasive alien species within the work programme of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA).

In addition, GISP was delegated as an international thematic focal point under the Clearing-House Mechanism. Specific activities under the MOC include: dissemination of information on invasive alien species to Parties, governments and the general public; collaboration in the elaboration and development of programs pertaining to the prevention, elimination and management of invasive alien species; and participation in GISP activities, particularly those of the GISP Information Management Group.

SBSTTA reports

Invasive alien species were addressed at the most recent (11th) SBSTTA meeting, held in Montreal, Canada, from 28 November-2 December 2005.

The Report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Gaps and Inconsistencies in the International Regulatory Framework in Relation to Invasive Alien Species (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/INF/4) is available here.

The Parties' decision taken on this matter (Decision VIII/27) at COP-8, held from 20-31 March in Curitiba, Brazil, can be downloaded from: http://www.biodiv.org/decisions/default.aspx?m=COP-08&id=11041&lg=0

The SBSTTA document Towards the Development of a Joint Work Plan for the Management of Marine Invasive Alien Species (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/INF/10) is available here.

More CBD information on marine invasive species can be found at:
http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/marine/alien.aspx

National reports

Parties to the Convention are invited to submit thematic reports on the issues to be considered in depth at meetings of the Conference of the Parties.

Invasive alien species were one of the issues addressed at the sixth meeting (COP-6). The deadline for submission of national reports was 30 September 2000.

The reports are available at:
http://www.biodiv.org/reports/list.aspx?type=ais