|
Cooperative Initiative on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) on Islands
[last updated January 4, 2004 12:36 AM]
Shortcuts:
|
 |
General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected Timeframe 2002 - Open Ended |
Partners
Governments:
|
Major Groups:
|
UN System:
|
Other intergovernmental organizations:
|
| Other:
|
Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
|
Secondary Themes:
|
Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Sub-regional South Pacific
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: France, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Samoa, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America |
National Focal Points
At present, no information is available as to whether the partnership has made contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the relevant countries.
|
Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
The ultimate goal of the Cooperative Initiative on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) on Islands is to facilitate cooperation in key areas of invasive alien species management on islands. As a result managers, practitioners and policy makers will have increased capacity to define IAS problems, design solutions and implement them, at community, national and subregional level. This in turn, will generate a significant improvement in the conservation of island biological diversity.
Islands and other geographically and evolutionary isolated places are particularly vulnerable to the threat posed by IAS to biodiversity due to high levels of endemism and high numbers of threatened species. The rate of extinctions of native species has been higher on islands than anywhere else in the world. Threats to biodiversity also affect the ecosystem functions, and the cultural and economic use made of biodiversity by local communities. However, while islands are more vulnerable to invasions by alien species, they also present special opportunities for preventing new alien invasions and for eradicating or controlling existing IAS.
The development of this initiative will facilitate further progress on an international scale,
starting in the South Pacific sub-region and then expanding to a global approach by applying this sub-regional experience more widely. It will eventually encompass all islands that have significant biodiversity, including small island developing States, other island countries and any countries with islands.
* Objectives of the initiative are
* Build local, national and sub-regional capacity
* Systematically develop better techniques
* Share knowledge, skills and techniques internationally
* Make better use of existing information
Islands and other geographically and evolutionary isolated places are particularly vulnerable to the threat posed by IAS to biodiversity due to high levels of endemism and high numbers of threatened species. The rate of extinctions of native species has been higher on islands than anywhere else in the world. Threats to biodiversity also affect the ecosystem functions, and the cultural and economic use made of biodiversity by local communities. However, while islands are more vulnerable to invasions by alien species, they also present special opportunities for preventing new alien invasions and for eradicating or controlling existing IAS.
The development of this initiative will facilitate further progress on an international scale,
starting in the South Pacific sub-region and then expanding to a global approach by applying this sub-regional experience more widely. It will eventually encompass all islands that have significant biodiversity, including small island developing States, other island countries and any countries with islands.
* Objectives of the initiative are
* Build local, national and sub-regional capacity
* Systematically develop better techniques
* Share knowledge, skills and techniques internationally
* Make better use of existing information
Targets and Progress
Partnership targetsThe following specific targets are considered under this initiative
* Local, national and sub- regional capacity building * Facilitate the exchange of personnel, including field-personnel from isolated island locations to facilitate sharing of expertise and to learn from each other. Opportunities for "one on one" learning will be included. * Facilitate the exchange of expert personnel and of decision makers * Facilitate "learning by doing", linked to model projects * Encourage the identification of in-country IAS management capacity needs * Provide training in IAS management activities, including prevention, early detection/rapid response, eradication and control * Facilitate the practical implementation of existing international instruments, including CBD and IPPC, and their effective application for IAS prevention and management Sharing knowledge & skills * Provide technical advice and support to selected IAS management projects * Establish peer review system for new management projects * Facilitate emergency response for dealing with new incursions * Promote cooperation between island states on all aspects of IAS management, including prevention, eradication and control. * Develop better techniques * Improve methods for eradicating IAS on islands * Improve screening and quarantine systems * Improve early detection of alien species * Improve safe and sustainable control methods that minimise non-target effects * Better use of information * Make existing data on IAS that are relevant to islands as widely available as possible, and include globally sourced best practice management information on IAS. This will be achieved through inclusion in the Global Invasive Species Database, future links with global and regional information systems / networks, CD Rom versions, and hardcopy materials as required. * Encourage the collection of additional data where there are currently significant gaps. * Coordinate and publish reviews of IAS management techniques based on past successes and failures. * Encourage the development of user friendly tools to disseminate IAS management and prevention methods which target local users and stakeholders * Develop an international register of expertise on island invasive alien species |
Progress against targetsNone reported as of 12/03
|
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
Information on training, informational support, institutional strengthening and/or other
capacity building measures:
This initiative is very focused on providing training, information sharing, institutional
strengthening and capacity building. The initiative will not rely on "North-South" type
capacity building , but instead it is based on "sideways" cooperation and sharing and mutual
"learning from each other" and "learning by doing".
The Initiative's "sideways" cooperation and sharing and mutual "learning from each other" and "learning by doing" will include methodologies and/or techniques for prevention, eradicationand control of IAS.
One of the key aims is to make information and methodologies available at community level,
and at the level of practitioners in the field, including on isolated locations. In order to reach
local users and stakeholders user-friendly and user-relevant tools will be used or developed as required.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
The Millenium Declaration, in paragraph 22 reaffirmed support for the principles of
sustainable development, including those set out in Agenda 21, and in paragraph 17, resolves to address the special needs of small island developing States by implementing the Barbados Programme of Action. In paragraph 23 implementation of the CBD is highlighted.
Agenda 21 paragraph 15.3 of Chapter 15 reminds us that the loss of the world's biological
diversity has continued over the last 20 years, with "the inappropriate introduction of foreign plants and animals" as one of the four main causes. It calls for urgent and decisive action. This initiative relates to many sections in chapter 15, including implementation issues (e.g. Paragraphs 15.10 and 15.11). Through its international co-operative and capacity building approach, based on sharing and exchanging information, technology and expertise, the initiative is also directly related to chapters 34 and 37 of Agenda 21.
The Barbados Programme of Action states "the introduction of certain non-indigenous
species" as one of the four most significant causes of the loss of biodiversity in SIDS.
(Section IX para 41) and specifically identifies the need to "support strategies to protect small island developing States from the introduction of non-indigenous species" (Section IX para 45, C. (vi)).
Finally, the meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have repeatedly
recognised the very urgent need to deal with IAS in isolated and vulnerable ecosystems, and at and at recent meetings in 2001 and 2002 support and endorsement was expressed for the initiation and development of this initiative.
sustainable development, including those set out in Agenda 21, and in paragraph 17, resolves to address the special needs of small island developing States by implementing the Barbados Programme of Action. In paragraph 23 implementation of the CBD is highlighted.
Agenda 21 paragraph 15.3 of Chapter 15 reminds us that the loss of the world's biological
diversity has continued over the last 20 years, with "the inappropriate introduction of foreign plants and animals" as one of the four main causes. It calls for urgent and decisive action. This initiative relates to many sections in chapter 15, including implementation issues (e.g. Paragraphs 15.10 and 15.11). Through its international co-operative and capacity building approach, based on sharing and exchanging information, technology and expertise, the initiative is also directly related to chapters 34 and 37 of Agenda 21.
The Barbados Programme of Action states "the introduction of certain non-indigenous
species" as one of the four most significant causes of the loss of biodiversity in SIDS.
(Section IX para 41) and specifically identifies the need to "support strategies to protect small island developing States from the introduction of non-indigenous species" (Section IX para 45, C. (vi)).
Finally, the meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have repeatedly
recognised the very urgent need to deal with IAS in isolated and vulnerable ecosystems, and at and at recent meetings in 2001 and 2002 support and endorsement was expressed for the initiation and development of this initiative.
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipIUCN's Invasive Species Specialist group (ISSG) will undertake the facilitation and
coordination of this initiative. Expanding the partnership has been discussed above.. The initiative will liaise and cooperate with other IAS programmes at subregional or national level (see below), including SPREP's. A draft workplan has been developed and has been circulated to present partners for refinement. It will shortly be circulated for further discussion to all entities etc that have expressed an interest in active cooperation in the Initiative or its projects. |
Implementation Mechanism of the PartnershipA workshop will be organized in the near future, with participation from the Partners, regional Organisations (SPREP, SPC) country representatives and others, to finalise implementation plans.
The initiative has commenced its build up with a focus on the South Pacific region. Other areas of the world will be included as soon as resourcing allows. The initial partnership between NZ (NZAID) and IUCN is envisaged to cover a an initial phase of up to 5 years. An annual plan of work will be prepared in cooperation between the partners. However, the initiative's targets include being responsive to needs as identified by island communities - flexibility there fore needs to be maintained as well. Reporting will be done at whatever intervals required and agreed by the partners, likely at least six to twelve monthly. Specifc requirements for reporting of Type II partnerships as may be developed by IUCN and/or by NZAID will all be implemented. Appropriate procedures will be installed for reporting to CSD and donors, with a focus on meeting the priority needs for sustainable, local monitoring, in the context of development of self-monitoring by communities and PICS governments. |
Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$: 0
Source(s): Government
Funding has been committed by New Zealand (NZAID): to cover coordination and management costs for the Pacific pilot phase and to support an integrated capacity building programme based on in-country IAS management activities. This will be regularly reviewed. |
Non-financial resources availableType(s):
Source(s):
In addition, partnerships based on in-kind contribution of expertise are also pursued. |
Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: not specified
Source(s) already approached: Additional sources of financial support will be explored in future, including
o Countries with islands Regional Organisations o Official Development Assistance from donor countries o UN agencies o Environmental NGOs |
Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s):
Source(s) approached and details:
|
Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
Expected results:
* Island communities will be better empowered and will have increased capacity to define IAS problems, design management solutions and implement them. This will include local, national and subregional scale and include managers, practitioners, policy makers, villagers, and other stakeholders.
* Ability will be improved to implement regional or international instruments of relevance to IAS, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and to maximise the effective use of such instruments in respect to prevention and management of IAS.
* Acessibility will be increased to island-relevant as well as subregionally-relevant data and information on IAS combined with increased accessibility to global experience and best practise relating to management of AIS.
* This in turn, will reduce the threats from invasive alien species, increase the conservation of biological diversity and contribute to ecosystem restoration and to sustainable livelihoods for island communities.
Links
This initiative has links with several of the categories established for Type II partnership
initiatives, including "Protecting and Managing the natural resource base of economic and social development (biodiversity), Sustainable development of Small Island Developing States, means of implementation (Capacity building as well as Information for decisionmaking).
There are links with various other global, regional or subregional initiatives, including SPREP, SPC, GISP, Implementation of the CBD, and international NGO efforts.
The SPREP Invasive Species Strategy identifies the invasive alien species problem as a major issue in the South Pacific. It identifies several problems in the dealing with this issue (SPREP2000). This initiative has been discussed with SPREP officers, and will contribute to solving the problems identified by SPREP. Additionally, it will contribute to several of the components of the Regional strategy developed by SPREP. Specific projects where the outputs of the initiative will be used include the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (SPREP/WWF), and the SPREP/US Fish and Wildlife Service training project. The Initiative will be much wider than, and complimentary to (but also at the same time contributing to) the outcomes of S. Pacific GEF proposal for activities under the SPREP Invasive Species Strategy. SPREP, IUCN's ISSG and Birdlife International will be associated with the GEF proposal as well as with this initiative, so that maximum synergy can be obtained, and duplication will be completely avoided.
Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) : There are several areas and issues where
interest of SPC and this initiative dovetail and support each other. Liaising and discussion will be developed further, and cooperation with SPC has already started (for instance on the development of a strategy to prevent introduction of red imported fire ant (RIFA) into the south Pacific area.
Global Invasive Species Programme: The initiative will be developed under the general
umbrella of the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) Phase II.
NGOs: Several NGOs that are active in the S Pacific have identified invasive alien species as a key issue. These include: Birdlife International, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Conservation International (CI), and WWF These NGOs are supportive of this initiative, and are likely to be associated with it either as future partners or in whatever other type of association as most relevant and appropriate.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): The Subsidiary body of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), SBSTTA6, endorsed the concept in its March 2001 meeting and the Conference of Parties (COP6) enhanced this support at its April 2002 Meeting.
Other relevant information:
Pacific Sub-Regional Report For The World Summit On Sustainable Development September 2001 (particularly chapters 1, 10, 16)
Programme Of Action For The Sustainable Development Of Small Island Developing States, (Barbados Programme Of Action For SIDS) (document: A/conf.167/9, part I, annex I (1994)
with links to subsequent progress reports as part of CSD)
Reports from CBD's SBSTTA6 (March 2001) and COP6 (May 2002)
* Island communities will be better empowered and will have increased capacity to define IAS problems, design management solutions and implement them. This will include local, national and subregional scale and include managers, practitioners, policy makers, villagers, and other stakeholders.
* Ability will be improved to implement regional or international instruments of relevance to IAS, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and to maximise the effective use of such instruments in respect to prevention and management of IAS.
* Acessibility will be increased to island-relevant as well as subregionally-relevant data and information on IAS combined with increased accessibility to global experience and best practise relating to management of AIS.
* This in turn, will reduce the threats from invasive alien species, increase the conservation of biological diversity and contribute to ecosystem restoration and to sustainable livelihoods for island communities.
Links
This initiative has links with several of the categories established for Type II partnership
initiatives, including "Protecting and Managing the natural resource base of economic and social development (biodiversity), Sustainable development of Small Island Developing States, means of implementation (Capacity building as well as Information for decisionmaking).
There are links with various other global, regional or subregional initiatives, including SPREP, SPC, GISP, Implementation of the CBD, and international NGO efforts.
The SPREP Invasive Species Strategy identifies the invasive alien species problem as a major issue in the South Pacific. It identifies several problems in the dealing with this issue (SPREP2000). This initiative has been discussed with SPREP officers, and will contribute to solving the problems identified by SPREP. Additionally, it will contribute to several of the components of the Regional strategy developed by SPREP. Specific projects where the outputs of the initiative will be used include the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (SPREP/WWF), and the SPREP/US Fish and Wildlife Service training project. The Initiative will be much wider than, and complimentary to (but also at the same time contributing to) the outcomes of S. Pacific GEF proposal for activities under the SPREP Invasive Species Strategy. SPREP, IUCN's ISSG and Birdlife International will be associated with the GEF proposal as well as with this initiative, so that maximum synergy can be obtained, and duplication will be completely avoided.
Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) : There are several areas and issues where
interest of SPC and this initiative dovetail and support each other. Liaising and discussion will be developed further, and cooperation with SPC has already started (for instance on the development of a strategy to prevent introduction of red imported fire ant (RIFA) into the south Pacific area.
Global Invasive Species Programme: The initiative will be developed under the general
umbrella of the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP) Phase II.
NGOs: Several NGOs that are active in the S Pacific have identified invasive alien species as a key issue. These include: Birdlife International, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Conservation International (CI), and WWF These NGOs are supportive of this initiative, and are likely to be associated with it either as future partners or in whatever other type of association as most relevant and appropriate.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): The Subsidiary body of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), SBSTTA6, endorsed the concept in its March 2001 meeting and the Conference of Parties (COP6) enhanced this support at its April 2002 Meeting.
Other relevant information:
Pacific Sub-Regional Report For The World Summit On Sustainable Development September 2001 (particularly chapters 1, 10, 16)
Programme Of Action For The Sustainable Development Of Small Island Developing States, (Barbados Programme Of Action For SIDS) (document: A/conf.167/9, part I, annex I (1994)
with links to subsequent progress reports as part of CSD)
Reports from CBD's SBSTTA6 (March 2001) and COP6 (May 2002)