Palau and Tonga both announced financial commitments to address invasive alien species (IAS) this month.
These commitments will contribute to a Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) regional project on IAS, including the development and implementation of National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plans (NISSAPs) in Pacific countries.
23 June 2014: Palau and Tonga have both announced financial commitments to address invasive alien species (IAS). These commitments will contribute to a Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) regional project on IAS, including the development and implementation of National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plans (NISSAPs) in Pacific countries.
Invasive species represent a key challenge to the sustainable development of Pacific Islands, as they negatively affect biological diversity, climate change resilience, community well-being and economies, according to SPREP, which referenced how coconut rhinoceros beetles in Guam and Hawaii are threatening the region’s coconuts and blinding animals.
In 2013, SPREP members requested SPREP and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) to lead the formation of a Regional Invasive Species Project for submission to the Sixth Replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project aims to support regional efforts on invasive species and to build capacity to manage invasive species among Pacific island countries.
Palau committed US$1.4 million of its GEF6 biodiversity funding to eradicating IAS. Tonga announced a commitment of US$1.5 million to combat IAS. David Moverley, SPREP’s Invasive Species Adviser, expressed hope that other GEF-eligible countries “will make similar commitments to the regional projects.”
Palau announced its commitment at the 20th Summit of the Micronesian Chief Executives, which took place from 6-7 June 2014 in Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Tonga announced its commitment at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ‘Capacity Building Workshop for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to Achieve Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 on Invasive Alien Species,’ which took place from 14-15 June in Montreal, Canada. Pacific leaders are also expected to discuss invasive species, including national and regional responses, at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, which will take place in July 2014. [SPREP Press Release on Tonga Commitment] [SPREP Press Release on Palau Commitment] [IISD RS Story on Pacific Invasives Partnership]