Invasive Alien Species (IAS) have been recognized as an important threat to biodiversity and, through Article 8(h) of the Convention the Parties are encouraged to prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species. The Conference of the Parties recognized IAS as a crosscutting issue for the work of the Convention at is fourth meeting, and has adopted a set of Guiding principles (decision VI/23) for the implementation of article 8(h). A summary of the information contained in the guiding principles is presented here below.

GP 1 Precautionary approach: Given the unpredictability of the pathways and impacts on biological diversity of invasive alien species, efforts to identify and prevent unintentional introductions as well as decisions concerning intentional introductions should be based on the precautionary approach.

GP 2 Three-stage hierarchical approach: Prevention is the most cost effective measure to address invasive alien species. If prevention is not possible then eradication/containment/ long term control measures should be implemented.

GP 3 Ecosystem approach: Measures to deal with invasive alien species should, as appropriate, be based on the ecosystem approach.

GP 4 The role of States: States should recognize the risk that activities within their jurisdiction or control may pose to other States as a potential source of invasive alien species and should take appropriate individual and cooperative actions to minimize that risk.

GP 5 Research and monitoring: To develop an adequate knowledge base to address the problem, it is important that States undertake research on and monitoring of invasive alien species.

GP 6 Education and public awareness: States should promote education and public awareness of the causes of invasion and the risks associated with the introduction of alien species.

GP 7 Border control and quarantine measures: States should implement border controls and quarantine measures for alien species that are or could become invasive.

GP 8 Exchange of information: States should assist in the development of an inventory and synthesis of relevant databases, including taxonomic and specimen databases, and the development of information systems for compilation and dissemination of information on alien species.

GP 9 Cooperation, including capacity-building: Depending on the situation, a State's response might be purely internal (within the country), or may require a cooperative effort between two or more countries.

GP 10 Intentional introductions: Decisions concerning intentional introductions should be based on the precautionary approach, including within a risk analysis framework.

GP 11 Unintentional introductions: All States should have in place provisions to address unintentional introductions.

GP 12 Mitigation of impacts: Once the establishment of an invasive alien species has been detected, States, individually and cooperatively, should take appropriate steps such as eradication, containment and control, to mitigate adverse effects.

GP 13 Eradication: Where it is feasible, eradication is often the best course of action to deal with the introduction and establishment of invasive alien species.

GP 14 Containment: limiting the spread (containment) of invasive alien species is often an appropriate strategy in cases where the range of the organisms or of a population is small enough to make such efforts feasible.

GP 15 Control: Control measures should focus on reducing the damage caused as well as reducing the number of the invasive alien species

In addition, under the Convention on Biological Diversity, several Decisions on IAS have been adopted touching on different issues, i.e. on strengthening the international framework to address IAS, improving cooperation, management of risks posed by different pathways, additional voluntary guidance, etc. More recently work has focused on supporting Parties on the implementation of Target 6 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through the preparation of documents and tools have also been developed in response to requests from the Conference on the Parties.

Additionally, collaboration has been ongoing with the members of the Inter-Agency Liaison Group on Invasive Alien Species in order to strengthen international cooperation on IAS.