KM-A5 Overall, policies and their implementation 
have been insufficient in managing biological 
invasions and preventing and controlling invasive 
alien species {A7, A8}. Up to 2020, only partial progress 
was made towards international goals and targets (e.g., 
Aichi Biodiversity Target 9 and Sustainable Development 
Goal Target 15.8). While most countries have targets related 
to the management of biological invasions within their 
national biodiversity strategies and action plans, effective 
policies are often lacking or inadequately implemented. 
Eighty-three per cent of countries do not have national 
legislation or regulations directed specifically toward the 
prevention and control of invasive alien species. Policy 
relevant to biological invasions is also fragmented within 
countries and across sectors. To date, capacity to respond 
to biological invasions has varied widely across regions, 
with nearly half of all countries (45 per cent) not investing 
in management of invasive alien species (SDG indicator 
15.8.1). Differences in perception, including conflicting 
interests and values, of the importance and urgency of 
the threat of invasive alien species, coupled with lack of 
awareness of the need for a collective and coordinated 
response, as well as gaps in data and knowledge, can 
hinder the management of invasive alien species. Economic 
development policies and those aiming to manage other 
drivers of change sometimes facilitate biological invasions. 
Demographic drivers also facilitate the introduction and 
13SUMMARY FOR POLICYMAKERS
The thematic assessment report on
INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES
AND THEIR CONTROL
TIC ASSESSMENT REPORT ON INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES AND THEIR CONT