Advancing One Biosecurity to address the pandemic risks of biological invasions

Abstract

The world is witnessing a global rise in numbers of emerging invasive alien species, but identifying which species pose a pandemic threat remains poorly understood. The disjointed international regulatory environment presents a significant challenge to biosecurity interventions at a global scale. A novel way forward is through One Biosecurity, an interdisciplinary approach to biosecurity policy and research that enhances the interconnections between human, animal, plant, and environmental health to prevent and mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species. One Biosecurity underpins three initiatives essential to deal with the pandemic risks from biological invasions: new risk assessment tools that look beyond national borders toward biosecurity risks of international concern, a stronger regulatory instrument to address biosecurity threats at a worldwide scale, and the establishment of a multilateral biosecurity convention responsible for biosecurity governance. Together, these initiatives will drive a new science and policy agenda to deliver evidence-based governance of global biosecurity.