News & events

FISNA webinar: Forest invasive species in Africa

20 June 2023, 13:00 - 15:00 SAST

The Forest Invasive Species Network for Africa (FISNA) was established under the auspices of FAO with the aim of coordinating the collation and dissemination of information relating to forest invasive species in sub-Saharan Africa, thereby promoting sustainable forest management and conservation of biodiversity.

In this webinar, various topics of interest, including invasive forest insect pests, pathogens, and weeds will be presented by FISNA members and guest presenters.

Zoom link:  https://zoom.us/j/96041871522?pwd=OUwvWjNtNExnLzEwS2I4clFwUDhvdz09 Password: 197972

APFISN webinar: Weed biological control

24 & 25 November 2022, 05:00 - 07:00 UTC 

Weeds are amongst the most important invasive species in the Asia-Pacific region.

In a recent survey by the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Network (APFISN) of its members, weeds were ranked as the most impactful forest invasive species in the region, especially across countries in the Pacific, Southeast Asia and South Asia. One of the most effective and sustainable management methods for invasive weeds is biological control, using natural enemies of a weed from its native range to control it in the invaded range. This webinar will introduce the concept of weed biocontrol generally, the process of host-specificity testing, biocontrol control successes, opportunities, and emerging invasive weed issues in the region.

Register here for Zoom link:

Agenda and more information here.

Forest Invasive Species Network for Europe and Central Asia (REUFIS) webinar
Monitoring of native and introduced saproxylic insects for effective prevention and management 

28 June 2022, 09.15 – 12.00 CEST

Damage caused by saproxylic (bark and wood boring) beetles has increased in recent decades across the REU region - however, recent research has found new methods of managing the problem. This new research will be the focus of the Forest Invasive Species Network for Europe and Central Asia (REUFIS) webinar. The webinar will showcase the recent achievements in monitoring of saproxylic bark beetle species, new control methods and be an opportunity to share local experiences. It will also discuss how countries can enhance preparedness for a new species arrival and how regions can work together to build capacity.  

Agenda

Part 1 Keynote lecture: Invasions under wraps: globalization of woodboring and saproxylic insects - Dimitrios N. Avtzis, Forest Research Institute, Thessaloniki, Greece

Part 2 Country presentations

  • Croatia    Boris Hrasovec, University of Zagreb, Croatia
  • Slovakia  Slavomir Rell, National Forest Centre, Slovakia
  • Hungary  Ferenc Lakatos, University of Sopron, Hungary
  • Türkiye   Gülcin Ekemen, General Directorate of Forestry, Türkiye

Forest biosecurity as a shared responsibility - towards a global framework

XV World Forestry Congress Side event - 5 May 2022, 10:00-11:30 hrs CET

Global travel and trade have facilitated the movement of invasive species around the world and protecting forests from these threats is paramount. It is a global issue that requires national, regional, and global cooperation and action. FAO, together with partners, aims to develop and implement a framework targeting policy makers and regulators to develop national strategies to increase awareness and engage all stakeholders in forest biosecurity. At the XIV World Forest Congress side-event, speakers from around the globe will share their perspectives on the current situation of forest biosecurity and the need for a global framework followed by a panel discussion on the global framework’s development.

Find out more here.

Catch up on the webinar here.

All speakers' presentations are available here.

 

Contingency plans and early warning systems - How can they help protect forests?

REUFIS Webinar - 24 November 2021, 11:00-14:00 hrs CET

Download the meeting materials and the video recording

 

 

Forest Invasive Species in the NENA Region and lessons learned

WEBINAR - 14 June 2021, 11:00-13:00 CEST

FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa (FAORNE) and Near East Network on Forest Health and Invasive Species (NENFHIS) invite you to participate a webinar on lessons learned about Forest Invasive Species in the NENA Region. Objectives of the webinar are to:

  • Share successes and challenges of addressing Forest Invasive Species issues in selected countries of the NENA Region;
  • Share information on FAO forest health activities in the Region;
  • Raise awareness of potential invasive species introductions and outbreaks in the Region.

Please consult the Concept note and the Invitation for more details.

 

Protecting oak trees for future generations
in Europe and Central Asia

REUFIS Webinar - 26 November 2020, 11:00-13:00 hrs CET

Download the meeting materials and the video recording

 

 

Forest Invasive Species - The next global pandemic?
WEBINAR

29 July 2020, 10:00-11:30 hrs CEST

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) .

Video recording of the webinar

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 and 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

 

Annual REUFIS meeting 2020: invasive species on nut trees and their management

18-20 November 2019

(Read more...)

 

FISNA and IUFRO meeting biological control of forest insect pest and pathogens

6-8 November 2019
8-11 November 2019 (field trip)

(Read more...)

 

Invasive beetle threatens forest and fruit trees

The Food Chain Crisis has recently published a flyer on the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB). The polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) is an ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculeonidae: Scolytinae) native to Asia, together with its fungal symbiont Fusarium euwallaceae. PHSB attacks agricultural and forestry crops, street and garden trees, as well as several native tree species [read more...]

 

 

  

Now available: "Guide to the classical biological control of insect pests in planted and natural forests".

Thursday 4 April 2019, Brummana - Lebanon, 13:00-13:15 hours, Afrah room 
- 6th Mediterranean Forest Week -

Click here or on the picture to download it

 

 

COFO 24 side event: Towards a harmonized global approach for managing Forest Invasive Species
(insect pests, diseases and plants)

Friday 20 July 2018, Ethiopia room (C 285/9), 13:00-15:00 hours

Click here for the concept note & agenda

 

 

Inaugural network meeting of the Forest Invasive Species Network for Europe and Central Asia (REUFIS)

Budapest, Hungary, 17/10/2017 - 19/10/2017

In the Inaugural network meeting the Mandate of the network will be discussed and the election of the Secretary and the Executive Committee will take place together with the discussion of the Workplan for 2018 (read more).

 

 

last updated:  Monday, June 12, 2023