The Forest Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA) was created during a meeting held in Zomba, Malawi, 13-15 December 2004. Jointly organized by the Forest Research Institute of Malawi and FAO, the meeting was held to address the serious concerns of African forest protection scientists to revitalize the existing network, the African Pest Management Network for Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, which was formed in 1995, but which had not been active for some time. In keeping with present day forest health issues and increasing problems with invasive species in Africa, including insects and diseases and woody species, the network was renamed the Forest Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA).

Seven African countries - Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia - were represented at the Malawi meeting and the 14 members successfully defined objectives and activities of the network. The mandate of the network is to coordinate the collection, collation and dissemination of information relating to forest invasive species in sub-Saharan Africa for sustainable forest management and conservation of biodiversity. The objectives of the network are to:

  • facilitate the exchange of information and provide a link for communication about forest invasive species;
  • provide policy advice on transboundary movement, phytosanitary measures and other relevant information;
  • raise regional awareness on forest invasive species issues;
  • encourage the publication and dissemination of research results and management and monitoring strategies;
  • facilitate taxonomic support;
  • act as a link between and among experts, institutions, networks and other stakeholders concerned with forest invasive species;
  • facilitate the mobilization of resources for critical activities in management of invasive species;
  • provide technical guides on research and control of invasives and health issues for Africa.

For more information or to participate in the network, please visit the Web site of the Forest Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA) or send your request to the Secretariat:

Forestry Research Institute of Malawi (FRIM)
Clement Z. Chilima
Kufa Road
P.O. Box 270
Zomba
Malawi

E-mail: cchilima@frim.org.mw