How can we nationally, regionally & globally work together to build capacity? 29 July 2020 BEN JAMÂA Mohamed Habib Forest Invasive Species – The next global pandemic? Coordinator of the Near East Network on Forest Health and Invasive Species (NENFHIS)

üEstablished in 2007; üNine member countries; NENA Region map üRegion characterized by semi-arid to desert conditions with scarce forest cover. Objectives: • Promote collaboration; • Share expertise and information; • Facilitate technology exchange; • Communicate and coordinate; • Identify problems; • Encourage compliance with international phytosanitary regulations.

1 Invasive Species in the NENA Region Forest Invasive Species – The next global pandemic?

Species Adults Host species Countries Parasitoids Tunisia (1962), Avetianella longoi Phoracantha semipunctata Eucalyptus sp. Morocco (1987), (Coleoptera : Cerambycidae) (Tunisia) ØMajority of invasive species are , Lebanon Avetianella longoi linked to the exotic plant species Phoracantha recurva Tunisia (1999), Algeria, Eucalyptus sp. Eucalyptus (introduced from (Coleoptera : Cerambycidae) Morocco, Lebanon (Tunisia)

Australia); Tunisia (2004), Algeria Quadrastichus mendeli Leptocybe invasa E. camaldulensis (2016), Morocco, Iran, (Hymenoptera : Eulophidae) (Tunisia) ØPopulation of these pests is Syria E. camaldulensis Tunisia (2006), Closterocerus regulated by the presence of their Ophelimus maskelli E. rudis Algeria, Morocco, (Hymenoptera : Eulophidae) chamaeleon (Tunisia) natural enemies (population is so E. tereticornis Iran controlled); Glycaspis brimblecombei Tunisia (2010), Algeria Psyllaephagus bliteus (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) E. camaldulensis (2011), Morocco (2009) (Tunisia, Algeria) ØThe dangerous invasive species is Syria

Leptoglosus occidentalis observed Leptoglossus occidentalis Pinus pinea Tunisia (2013) ? in Tunisia since 2013. (Heteroptera: Coreida)

Deudorix livia farnesiana ? ? (, )

2 Invasive Insects Species in the NENA Region Forest Invasive Species – The next global pandemic?

Dactylopius opuntiae, a new invasive pest of the cactus plants Opuntia ficus-indica (Prickly pear). Diffusion: Lebanon (2012), Morocco (2015), Jordan (2018), Palestine (2020).

Photo credit: Vahe Martirosyan

The prickly pear (photo from internet) Dactylopius opuntiae (photo from internet) ücan develop in the semi-arid and arid areas (resistance to drought ); üplays an essential role in the desertification control; Ø üplays an essential role in the conservation of the biological diversity A new invasive pest becoming a big concern for the prickly pear production in different countries around it; and an eradication program should be implemented. übarbary figs fruits constitute additional income sources for farmers ØThe arrival of this to Morocco is a high threat to the rest of the NENA countries regarding the of the region; üused as forage for the regional semiarid . geographical, economic and social continuity between these countries.

3 NATIONALLY: Establishment of Technical Working Groups (TWG) Forest Invasive Species – The next global pandemic?

Coordinated awareness raising activities with NPPO and other institutions and private sector;

Assessment of risks Evaluation of impacts of of new introduction TWG climate change on pest of invasive alien and disease species; management;

Increase the resilience of forests towards pest outbreaks using sustainable forest management Dactylopius opuntiae on The prickly pear (photo from internet)

4 REGIONALLY: Collaboration of countries within the region Forest Invasive Species – The next global pandemic?

Member Countries have to interact in between meetings, participants of the WG mainly collaborate through:

training and sharing information (short term training school/program);

joint scientific research on common invasive species;

Implement regional surveillance activities;

5 GLOBALLY Forest Invasive Species – The next global pandemic?

Coordinated Cross sectoral ( private mechanism for critical and public, production research between travel transport) regions cooperation and coordination on prevention activities;

Establishment of information systems as well as training programs targeting best practices for management of forest invasive species

How can we work together to build capacity?

6 Forest Invasive Species – The next global pandemic?

Regional project: Red Palm Weevil (RPW) Eradication (GCP/RNE/012/MUL). Suggestion!! The expected overall result of the FAO’s program is to contain the outbreak of RPW in the NENA Region by coordinating the effort to Establishment of a help farmers manage the RPW in order to limit crop damage to a regional Project to minimum and to avoid a further spread of the pest. manage and control Dactylopius opuntiae, a Global action: Sustainable Management of the Fall Armyworm in new invasive pest of Africa the cactus plants FAO Program for Action Opuntia ficus-indica Program divided into six components: 1. Management of FAW: Immediate Recommendations & Actions 2. Short-term Research Priorities 3. Communications & Training 4. Monitoring & Early Warning 5. Policy & Regulatory Support 6. Coordination

7 Thank you Merci ﺮﻜﺷ ا ﻜ