From 15 to 17 July 2025, representatives from Pacific small island developing states (SIDS) gathered in Apia, Samoa, for a regional training course focused on tackling invasive alien species (IAS) – one of the most pressing threats to island biodiversity.
The event was jointly organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS). It aimed to support countries in achieving Target 6 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which calls for the prevention, control, and eradication of invasive species.
Over the three days, participants explored available tools and guidance on IAS management, including the recently released CBD Toolkit for Target 6, and the IPBES assessment of Invasive Alien Species and their Control. Practical sessions focused on aligning the regional Pacific Invasive Species Indicators with KMGBF Target 6 to streamline monitoring and reporting processes.
Country representatives also shared their national experiences, helping to identify priority needs, capacity gaps, and the main pathways through which invasive species enter and spread—whether across borders or within countries. With pathways ranging from tourism and trade to agriculture and shipping, participants emphasized the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral response involving environment, biosecurity, health, ports, and other sectors. “This training really emphasised how important it is for all of us to work together—not just within the environment sector, but across all ministries and communities. Reaching our national goals for biodiversity, environment, the NSDA etc., isn’t something one agency can do alone. It’s going to take a whole-of-government and whole-of-society effort, with everyone moving in the same direction”, NES Biodiversity Coordinator highlighted.
For the Cook Islands, the National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan (NISSAP) remains a central tool in IAS management. The NISSAP will be reviewed and updated in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture under the GEF-8 Regional Invasives Project, which is expected to begin in late 2026.
The training course concluded with shared recommendations for regional cooperation and capacity building. It marked an important step forward in strengthening Pacific island nations’ ability to safeguard ecosystems and communities from the escalating threat of invasive alien species.
Cook Islands participants included Jessie Nicholson (National Environment Service) and Takili Tairi (Atiu Island Government).
For more resources on invasive species management, visit: https://brb.sprep.org/
