10th plenary of IPBES

Context

Recently, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) have organized 10th plenary to publish a scientific assessment report on “Invasive Alien Species and their Control” at Bonn, Germany.

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES):

It is an independent intergovernmental body established by States to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development.
It was established in Panama City, on 21 April 2012 by 94 Governments.
It is not a United Nations body.
Presently it has 140 plus members.

Background

Invasive alien species are a key driver of biodiversity loss and they are part of the targets set under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted by 193 members of the Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022.

The GBF has 23 targets that have to be met by 2030. The aim is to prevent and reduce the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive alien species by at least 50 per cent by 2030.
Since IPBES was established in 2012, IPBES has produced 10 assessment reports, which provide the most authoritative source of policy-relevant knowledge on biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people.
IPBES reports were instrumental in providing the scientific basis for the GBF, which prominently cites the assessment report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services published in 2019.

IPBES10 is the first meeting of the global body since the adoption of GBF.

What are Invasive Alien species?

Invasive alien species are animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms entered and established in the environment from outside of their natural habitat.

Why they are harmful?

They reproduce rapidly, out-compete native species for food, water and space, and are one of the main causes of global biodiversity loss.
Species are often introduced deliberately, through for example, fish farming, pet trade, horticulture, bio control; or unintentionally, through such means as land and water transportation, travel, and scientific research.
Invasive alien species are animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms entered and established in the environment from outside of their natural habitat.
Invasive species are capable of causing extinctions of native plants and animals, reducing biodiversity, competing with native organisms for limited resources, and altering habitats.
This can result in huge economic impacts and fundamental disruptions of coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems.