NGO Statement on Invasive Species

Science magazine has published a letter from leaders of major conservation organizations entitled “Invasives: A Major Conservation Threat.” In the letter, the leaders of IUCN, Birdlife, WWF, Conservation International, Wildlife Conservation Society, Fauna and Flora International, and Island Conservation argue that recent discussions on alternative strategies to the management of invasive species should not undermine ongoing efforts to prevent and mitigate the impacts of invasive species. Therein, they call on the global community to work together to control the most harmful invasive species, and to meet target 9 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, which calls for action to control invasives.

In addition, Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of CBD welcomed the letter saying, "it confirms the commitment of the conservation community to address this threat. Preventing and mitigating the negative effects of invasions is indeed a huge challenge, and the cooperation of the NGOs is of crucial importance."