Context

Background. The global threat posed by Invasive Alien Species (IAS) is greater than ever before, and it is becoming more evident that no country is immune from the immense, insidious and often irreversible economic, environmental and social impacts they present. These include numerous and growing numbers of pests, pathogens and weeds, that threaten valuable productive and natural ecosystems.

As international trade, tourism and transportation networks continue to expand, ICBI2023 will provide a science forum to explore, share and develop effective responses to the global challenges and threats that IAS present to biodiversity, ecological systems and food production and security in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems..

Conference theme and focus of ICBI2023.  Innovation, Collaboration, and Partnership are the high-level themes for ICBI2023. The focus is broad covering invasive animal (vertebrate, invertebrate), pathogen and weed species across terrestrial, freshwater and aquatic ecosystems, and spanning the biosecurity continuum (pre-border, at-border and post-border), and long-term pest management, including impacts on biodiversity.

ICBI2023 has a particular emphasis on partnering and collaborating with communities. The Congress will provide a platform for the exchange of new research and tracking of technical innovation among participants from different backgrounds and countries. Additionally, it will also address cutting-edge research topics such as big data, genomics and climate change. 

Aotearoa New Zealand is especially vulnerable to IAS. Its economy relies heavily on primary production and its geographic isolation has given rise to unique flora and fauna and a high degree of endemism. Defending the country from IAS has been a top priority and Aotearoa New Zealand has world-leading research programmes in border biosecurity science, integrated pest management, offshore and onshore island predator eradication, and innovative partnerships with Māori.

Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri. Ngāi Tahu, is the principal Māori Tribe for the majority of the southern region of Aotearoa – New Zealand. Its takiwā (tribal area) is the largest in New Zealand, and extends over much of Te Waipounamu – The South Island. Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri, centred at Tuahiwi just north of Christchurch, is the local Rūnanga (or Māori assembly). Ngāi Tūāhuriri whanau have maintained their connections to ngā Taiao – natural environment, through inter-generational Tikanga - customs and whakaponotia – belief systems that underpin their decision-making, governance and stewardship.

Otautahi Christchurch. Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand bordering the Pacific Ocean and gateway to Kā Tiritiri o te Moana or the Southern Alps. Famous inhabitants have included: Kate Sheppard – the force behind New Zealand being the first country in the world to give women the vote in 1893; Sir Ernest Rutherford - the Nobel Laureate and ‘father of nuclear physics’; Charles Upham – the only soldier to receive two Victoria Crosses on active service and Sir Karl Popper – one of the 20th century's most influential philosophers of science. Christchurch is also known for its sporting prowess, including hosting arguably the most successful rugby union club team in the world. 

Please feel free to contact David Teulon (Chair of the Local Advisory Committee) if you have any further questions. 

 

Ship containers leaving port (Ministry for Primary Industries)	Containers in harbour (Ministry for Primary Industries)