Topic: 2025-Regulating Invasive Species
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Michael Fuger
Invasive species are very harmful to global biodiversity. They spread disease, compete with native species, and destroy ecosystems. According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), invasive species are a major factor in 60% of global animal and plant extinctions. Also according to the IPBES, invasive species cost the world over 423 billion US dollars each year. Many invasive species are spread unintentionally because of humans. A large number of species are spread through air travel and many aquatic species on ships.
Pakistan is heavily affected by many invasive species, especially by invasive plants. Some of the worst invasive animals include carp and tilapia. Parthenium weeds have already spread rapidly throughout southern Pakistan and many researchers believe that it may begin to spread to the rest of the country. Parthenium weeds are known to be dangerous to humans and biodiversity and are destroying agricultural areas in the country. Pakistan has signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The CITES treaty protects over 40,000 species that are traded across borders. It provides a framework for countries to regulate trade and protect native species. Pakistan supports this framework and signed the treaty in 1976. Pakistan believes that more research on invasive species should be performed.
