Topic:
Country: Ukraine
Delegate Name: Gavin O’Meara
Committee: IUCN
Topic: Regulating Invasive Species
Country: Ukraine
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Invasive species have long plagued the world as a whole, dating back to even the 15th century and the exchange of animals and plants from Europe to America. Invasive species present danger when they outcompete local wildlife to the point of driving that local species to extinction. To avoid the detrimental effects of invasive species, the UN has made efforts to raise awareness of these invasive species, such as in the Invasive Alien Species Report. In it, scientists explain that invasive species have accounted for $423 billion globally, and every decade the cost of the damage has quadrupled (UNEP 2023). The current rate that this cost is rising in unsustainable and must be stopped.
Ukraine is currently facing difficulties in handling the spread of invasive species due to the costly war with the Russian Federation. As a result of the Russian Invasion, Ukraine is unable to protect against invasive species as it’s nearly impossible to prevent an invading force from spreading wildlife (Pashkevich 2023). If no serious action is taken to combat the spread of invasive species, Ukraine will face serious consequences even long after the conflict with Russia is over.
Ukraine is in dire need of additional aid against the spread of invasive species. Ukraine desires a resolution that strengthens aid of wildlife preservation in conflict zones and to countries defending their territory. Ukraine is in favor of upholding current invasive species legislation but wishes for additional protection for wildlife from either the UN or other third-party organizations.
References
Environment Programme, U. N. (2023, August 29). Invasive alien species report. UNEP – UN Environment Programme. https://www.unep.org/resources/report/invasive-alien-species-report
Nataliia Pashkevich. (2023, January 11). Invasive species threat resulting from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine – Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group. Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group – Seeking Solutions through Information Sharing about the Environmental Impacts of the War. UWEC Work Group. https://uwecworkgroup.info/invasive-species-threat-resulting-from-russias-full-scale-invasion-of-ukraine/
