U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

The Department of State Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science, Office of Ecology and Natural Resource Conservation (OES/ENRC) is the main point of contact at State for invasive species issues. OES/ENRC focuses on terrestrial invasive species. The OES Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs (OES/OPA) deals with marine and coastal invasive species. State deals with invasive species in several contexts, mainly presenting the U.S. position and policies on invasive species in international fora, such as conventions, regional initiatives and bilateral agreements. Examples are the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) within APEC, and environmental chapters of Free Trade Agreements. The Department works with other federal agencies and government contacts to develop the U.S. positions on invasive species-related matters. State also participates in projects, initiatives, and workshops on invasive species to: 1) increase awareness, 2) build regional and global capacity to address invasive species prevention and management, 3) share data and information and 4) as a platform for international diplomacy. Currently, OES/ENRC is sponsoring invasive species work in the Pacific Islands Learning Network (PILN) through an OES grant to The Nature Conservancy. OES/OPA projects focus on the Asia-Pacific region and also include Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

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