New leadership for the IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)

Piero Genovesi (Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Italy) has led the ISSG for many years. His dedication, commitment and incredible expertise have ensured the success of the IUCN SSC ISSG which has contributed to many important initiatives over the years. Following Piero Genovesi’s transition to the role of emeritus chair, IUCN SSC ISSG is adopting a new organisational structure aimed at further strengthening the work of the group to advance global action on invasive species and enhance international collaboration. 

We are pleased to confirm that Aníbal Pauchard (Universidad de Concepción & Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Chile) and Helen Roy (UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and University of Exeter, UK) have assumed the roles of Co-Chairs, supported by Aileen Mill (Newcastle University, UK) as Deputy Chair, and Vice-Chairs Andrew Cox (Invasives International, Australia), Shyama Pagad (University of Auckland, New Zealand), Ana Novoa (EEZA-CSIC, Spain), and Sabrina Kumschick (Stellenbosch University, South Africa). This leadership team brings considerable expertise and experience to guide the ongoing and future activities of the IUCN SSC ISSG.

Under the new leadership, the IUCN SSC ISSG website has recently been updated, providing improved access to current resources, news, and regular newsletters. While membership applications are temporarily paused, they will reopen shortly as we work towards fostering a more engaged and inclusive community, aligned with IUCN SSC ISSG’s mission to support the Union and collaborate across the IUCN SSC network.  

In parallel, IUCN SSC ISSG is working with the IUCN Secretariat to develop the first Union-wide strategy on invasive alien species, which is expected to be launched later this year. This represents a significant step in strengthening coordinated global action on invasive alien species. 

The IUCN SSC ISSG and IUCN Secretariat will continue to work closely with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to support implementation of Target 6 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We are excited to be planning activities around the CBD COP17 that will take place in Armenia in October 2026, where there will be a strong focus on mobilising resources to support and scale up action on invasive alien species.