3 June 2011: As part of the in-depth review of the programme of work on island biodiversity (IBPoW) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the CBD Secretariat has invited interested parties to participate in a collaborative effort to address the issue of invasive alien species (IAS) on islands.

The in-depth review will be conducted by the 16th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 16) in May 2012, and the Conference of the Parties will consider the review at its 11th meeting (CBD COP 11), in 2012. The review was launched officially at an event organized by the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) at CBD COP 10. In the notification, the CBD Secretariat says that the IBPoW is “arguably the best opportunity over the next two years for island Parties and Parties with islands to highlight progress and challenges on issues of most concern to them.”

Islands are home to a disproportionate number of endangered species, which are threatened by IAS. Addressing the issue is a major objective of the IBPoW.

The CBD process for the in-depth review is being supported by a GLISPA working group. The CBD Notification announces that Robyn Bromley, Australia’s National Focal Point for the CBD, is chairing the working group, which has been tasked with encouraging participation in the in-depth review, identifying opportunities to enhance the review process at SBSTTA 16 and supporting the CBD Secretariat. [CBD Notification] [In-Depth Review Process] [GLISPA]