Forest Invasive Species Network for Africa

Events

Congresses, workshops and other meetings can have an important role in building networks and collaborations, sharing knowledge and ultimately, moving towards a better understanding and management of invasive species. Here we provide information on all meetings that are relevant to those working on forest invasive species in Africa.

Please, contact us, if know of other meetings that should be added.

Meetings

Click on the meeting title to expand the descriptive section with the meeting materials.

Background:
COVID-19 has demonstrated the importance of preparedness and implementation of preventive measures and coordinated international action in the management of transboundary diseases. Outbreaks of forest invasive species (insect pests, pathogens, invasive vertebrates, and invasive plants) are no different and coordinated international action is fundamental to protect the world’s forests.
The FAO Forestry Division assists, advises and supports countries to address the global issue of forest invasive species, it also facilitates the regional forest invasive species networks. This webinar was jointly organized by the FAO Forestry Division, The Secretariat of the International Year of Plant Health 2020, and the four regional active forest Invasive species networks: Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN) , Forest Invasive Species Network for Europe and Central Asia (REUFIS), Forest Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA) , and the Near East Network on Forest Health and Invasive Species (NENFHIS) .
Objectives:
- Raise regional and global awareness of forest invasive species,
- Increase preparedness for future invasive forest pest and disease outbreaks and related activities of FAO regional forest invasive species networks;
- Contribute to the goals of the International Year of Plant Health 2020 (IYPH) that aims to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development).
Programme & Meeting materials:
Moderator: Dr. Shiroma Sathyapala, Forestry Division
Guest speaker: Prof. Mike Wingfield, FABI, University of Pretoria
- Tree health in the International Year of Plant Health and what we might learn from the SARS-CoV pandemic
Prof. Ferenc Lakatos, Forest Invasive Species Network for Europe and Central Asia (REUFIS)
- How can community involvement play a role in preventing the spread of invasive species?
Prof. Simon Lawson, Asia-Pacific Forestry Invasive Species Network (APFISN)
- Can surveillance networks enhance preparedness for future pandemics?
Prof. Jianghua Sun, Asia-Pacific Forestry Invasive Species Network (APFISN)
- How do we enhance the resilience of our forests to climate change and pest outbreaks?
Prof. Mohammed Habib Ben Jamaa, Near East Network on Forest Health and Invasive Species (NENFHIS)
- How can we increase national and regional capacity building?
Prof. Brett Hurley, Forestry Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA)
- What are environmentally friendly measures to manage invasive species?
Dr. Adriana G. Moreira, IPPC Standard Setting Officer
- What are the current initiatives of IPPC to increase awareness of pest prevention and enhance resilience of forests?
Tiina Vahannen, Chief of Forestry Division - Concluding remarks
- Q & A session
- Polls results
- Flyer & Agenda
- Video recording of the webinar

Background:
IUFRO is an international network of forest scientists working in a very broad range of research areas, including forest health and the management of invasive species. The IUFRO working group 7.03.13 focuses on research related to the biological control of forest insect pests and pathogens. This is the first meeting of the working group since the meeting in Poland in 2015, and the first time this working group has met in Africa! The working group meetings are generally not too large (less than 100 people) which allows easier engagement with fellow researchers.
More information:
https://www.fabinet.up.ac.za/index.php/event/iufro/
FISNA workshop on classical biological control

Background: Invasive species are any species that are non-native to a particular ecosystem and whose introduction and spread causes, or are likely to cause, socio-cultural, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.In the past years FAO has helped establish regional networks dedicated to the issue of forest pests, primarily forest invasive species, and the forest sector. These networks aim to facilitate the exchange of information and the mobilization of resources, raise regional awareness, and act as a link between and among experts, institutions, networks and other stakeholders concerned with forest invasive species. Main objectives of the meeting are to: enhance the Forest Invasive Species Networks regional collaboration; and initiate the establishment of a common forest invasive species management strategy towards a harmonised global approach. 
Meeting materials:
Flyer (Concept note and agenda)

Background: FISNA met in Pretoria to discuss the following Agenda: Agenda: 1. Welcome and opening remarks by the Chairman 2. General update by the Secretariat 3. Review of minutes of the previous meeting and matters arising 4. Brief updates on alien forest invasive species in participating Countries (to include brief presentations on new forest invasive pests of special interest in Africa) 5. FISNA Administration Issues 6. The Way Forward on the FISNA Flagship Proposal 7. Any Other Business.
Meeting materials:
Minutes of the Forest Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA) meeting

Meeting materials:
FO:AFWC/2016/01 Rev.1 Provisional Agenda 
FO:AFWC/2016/02 Global Policy Processes 
FO:AFWC/2016/03.1 Forest and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Africa
FO:AFWC/2016/03.2 REDD+ Experiences in Africa 
FO:AFWC/2016/04.1 Non Wood Forest Products: Opportunities and Challenges 
FO:AFWC/2016/04.2 Beekeeping Value Chain Development in Tanzania 
FO:AFWC/2016/05.1 Harmonizing Sectorial Policies and Laws to Reduce Growing Conflict on Land Use 
FO:AFWC/2016/05.2 Strengthening Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management and their use in Policy and Practice in Africa 
FO:AFWC/2016/07 Enhancing Sustainability and Efficiency of Woodfuel Production and Consumption
FO:AFWC/2016/08.1 Secretariat Report on FAO Responses to the Requests from the Nineteenth Session of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission 
FO:AFWC/2016/08.2 Report on Measures taken by members to implement the Recommendations of the Nineteenth Session of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission 
FO:AFWC/2016/08.3 XIV World Forestry Congress. Review of Key Outcomes and Messages 
FO:AFWC/2016/09.1 Illegal Hunting and Trade: Implications for Livelihoods, Sustainable Forest Management and Wildlife 
FO:AFWC/2016/09.2 Long Term Impact of Illegal Hunting and Trade of Wildlife Products on Conservation Efforts in Africa 
FO:AFWC/2016/10 Forests and Water Resources Management in Africa 
FO:AFWC/2016/11 Gender, Youth and Education 
FO:AFWC/2016/12 Forest and Landscape Restoration 
FO:AFWC/2016/13 Input to FAO Governance 
FO:AFWC/2016/Inf.1 Information Note
FO:AFWC/2016/Inf.2 Rev.1 List of documents 
FO:AFWC/2016/Inf.3 Rev.1 Provisional Timetable 
FO:AFWC/2016/REP Report of the 20th Session of the African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (and the Fourth African Forestry and Wildlife Week)
Miscellaneous documents:
AFWC/AFWW Revised Programme 
Presentations:
Bushmeat 
Contribution to FAO Governance 
Country implementation 
Criteria and indicators 
Enhancing sustainability and efficiency of woodfuel production and consumption 
Forests and Landscape Restoration 
Gender and youth in forestry 
Secretariat report 
World forestry congress - outcomes 

Background: This is a workshop of the Forest Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA). The workshop dealt with the 'Guide to implementation of phytosanitary standards in forestry' and the technology needed to implement standards and good practices to prevent pest spread. 
Meeting materials
Presentations:
Forest Health - A global Overview 
Implementing the Guide to implementation of phytosanitary standards in forestry 
Introduction to the Guide to implementation of phytosanitary standards in forestry 
Invasive species risk assessment (Presenter: Shiroma Sathyapala) 
Invasive Species Survey Techniques: Plant Survey 
ISPMs directly relevant to forestry (Presenter: Shiroma Sathyapala) 
Paper mulberry invasion in Ghana 
South Africa country report (Presenter: Jolanda Roux) 
Status of forest invasive species in Kenya (Presenters: Linus Mwangi & Eston Mutitu) 
Status of forest invasive species in Tanzania (Presenter: John Richard)  
The status of forest invasives in Zimbabwe (Presenter: Member Mushongahande) 
Using FAO's Foris Webdev to update the FISNA Web site 
Posters:
Forest Health: A global overview (Handout) 
Introduction to the Guide to the implementation of phytosanitary standards in forestry (Handout) 
Invasive plant species survey techniques (Handout) 
ISPMs directly relevant to forestry (Handout) 

Background: Item 4 - Forestry and wildlife in support of sustainable livelihood systems in Africa: (v) sharing lessons from forestry and wildlife-related activities in Africa: b) invasive species and their economic relevance for and impact on forests and wildlife in Africa.
Meeting materials:
Invasive Species and their Economic Relevance for and Impact on Forest and Wildlife in Africa (Paul Bosu) 
Environmental and Economic Impacts of Invasive Species on Africa’s Forests and Wildlife Resources 

Background: The Forestry Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA) held its regular Executive Committee meeting in February 2009, in Kumasi, Ghana. The workshop involved around 20 FISNA members from all over Africa. The theme of the workshop was 'Managing New Pest Incursions on Africa's Forests'. Members provided updates, reviewed and discussed progress made to date, made recommendations on new and emerging forest invasive pests, and reviewed and endorsed a draft FISNA Charter. The EC members also used this opportunity to launch the West Africa Node of FISNA. On the final day of the workshop, members visited various sites in Ghana that are experiencing new forest invasive species invasions. The workshop was fully funded by the USDA Forest Service and was hosted by the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG). 
Meeting materials:
List of participants 
Proposed agenda