IUCN Invasive Alien Species Strategy

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the leading drivers of biodiversity loss globally, contributing to species extinctions, ecosystem degradation, and significant economic and social impacts. They threaten food and water security, human and animal health, and undermine efforts to achieve global biodiversity and sustainable development goals.

Despite progress in many places, responses to IAS remain fragmented, uneven across regions, and often under-resourced. The scale and complexity of the challenge require a more coordinated and strategic approach that can mobilise action across sectors, geographies and stakeholders.

In response IUCN is developing a Union-wide Invasive Alien Species Strategy. The strategy will provide an enabling framework to support IUCN Members, Commissions and Secretariat in scaling up efforts to prevent the introduction of invasive species and to reduce their impacts. The development of the strategy builds on the mandate established in the IUCN Programme and aligns with global commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 6 on invasive alien species.