One of the strengths of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s MatchMaking Mechanism is that it positions countries to not only receive support, but increasingly provide it. By unlocking expertise that already exists within countries and increasing South–South cooperation, the mechanism is accelerating biodiversity action in a strategic and exponential way.

In this context, Colombia has taken a leading role. After sharing lessons from its leadership of CBD COP16 with Armenia, it is now responding to a new request for support on the management of invasive alien species in Tajikistan. The exchange demonstrates the value of connecting countries seeking technical support with those willing to share their knowledge and experience. Rather than relying solely on external organizations, countries are increasingly learning directly from one another through South–South cooperation.

Tajikistan submitted its request through the MatchMaking Mechanism in 2025. The request asked for support in strengthening Tajikistan’s national capacity to address invasive alien species by improving data systems, institutional coordination, strategic planning and prevention measures, contributing to the implementation of Target 6 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 

After carefully coordinating across government institutions, with the support of NBSAP Accelerator Partnership Facilitator, Maria Paula Barrera, Colombia agreed to support three priority areas identified in Tajikistan’s request: developing an inventory and risk assessment of invasive alien species, strengthening national information systems through a dedicated database, and supporting the development of a national strategy and action plan. Colombia was well positioned to respond following the recent update of its National Action Plan for the Prevention, Control and Management of Introduced, Translocated and Invasive Species (2026–2040), which consolidates more than a decade of scientific and policy experience managing biological invasions. The country’s broader whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach that engages Indigenous Peoples, local communities, academia and other stakeholders, has also generated practical implementation experience that it is now sharing with other countries.

The first session allowed both countries to build a shared understanding of their respective contexts. Tajikistan presented its national context, priorities and the challenges it faces in managing invasive alien species. Participants discussed the need for stronger transboundary cooperation, greater capacity to identify invasive species, and the development of a national inventory. Tajikistan also presented examples of invasive animal species, their introduction pathways, distribution and impacts, along with the national and international policy frameworks guiding its response.

Colombia shared its national approach to invasive alien species management, including the legal and policy frameworks, institutional responsibilities, decision-making processes and implementation pathways that guide national action. The presentation highlighted the important contribution of citizen science to monitoring and information management. Colombia also presented its National Action Plan for Invasive Alien Species (2026–2040), which includes actions on governance and regulation, information and knowledge management, education and awareness, coordination, and financing. Two case studies, on the Red Swamp Crayfish and Spiny Gorse, illustrated how Colombia has responded to biological invasions in practice, highlighting ecological impacts, management approaches and institutional coordination.

“The first session was about understanding each other’s context,” said Maria Paula Barrera, NBSAP Accelerator Partnership Facilitator for Colombia. “Tajikistan needed to understand what Colombia has done, and Colombia needed to understand Tajikistan’s context before we could identify the areas where our experience could be most useful.”

Participants agreed that the exchange provided valuable opportunities to compare experiences, identify common challenges, and explore areas for continued collaboration. Follow-up sessions are expected later this year.

The Colombia–Tajikistan exchange reflects a broader shift taking place within the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership. Countries are increasingly contributing their own expertise to support implementation elsewhere, creating a growing network of peer learning that accelerates progress across regions.

Colombia has already played this role through another Matchmaking Mechanism exchange with Armenia, where it shared lessons from its experience leading CBD COP16 and supported Armenia as it prepares to host COP17. 

In addition to Tajikistan, Ecuador and Peru have requested support on invasive alien species management through the MatchMaking Mechanism, and discussions are underway to explore both bilateral exchanges and a possible regional knowledge-sharing initiative led by Colombia.

Together, these exchanges illustrate how the MatchMaking Mechanism is helping reveal an often-overlooked resource for biodiversity implementation: the knowledge that already exists within countries themselves. By enabling countries to respond directly to one another’s needs, the mechanism is accelerating implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including Target 6 on invasive alien species, through practical South–South cooperation.

Learn more about membership in the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, a country-led initiative accelerating the implementation of NBSAPs.