Global Plan Launched to Combat Invasive Species

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has launched its first-ever global strategy to address invasive alien species, a significant threat to biodiversity. These non-native organisms, introduced by human activity, become invasive when they harm ecosystems. Globally, over 3,500 invasive species are documented, contributing to more than 60 percent of extinctions and costing over $423 billion yearly. The strategy, announced at CBD COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, on October 19-30, 2026, aims to scale up prevention, early detection, rapid response, removal, and restoration efforts worldwide.

Examples like oversized mice on Gough Island, preying on critically endangered albatross chicks, and rabbits on Macquarie Island causing habitat destruction, highlight the urgency. Successful eradication programs on South Georgia Island and Macquarie Island demonstrate the potential for recovery of native species and ecosystems. The IUCN's plan, with a target year of 2036, seeks to foster collaboration among governments, organizations, and researchers to implement these crucial conservation actions.