Invasive alien species (IAS) are considered to be one of the most serious challenges to humankind, biodiversity and the environment in the 21st century. In response to the global challenge of IAS, the 1st ICBI was successfully held on 2-6 November 2009 in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China with more than 500 participants from 44 countries. It developed a strong network of expert scientists and concluded with unanimous support for the “Fuzhou Declaration”. It was agreed that the ICBI would be held on a regular basis, at4-year intervals. An International Expert Committee has been established to provide scientific, technical and policy guidance to make ICBI a stimulating forum for information exchange and innovation ideas for basic research on and management of IAS. Supported by the International Expert Committee, the 2nd ICBI will be held on 23-27 October 2013 in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. The Congress will continue to facilitate the exchange of cutting edge research and the tracking of technical progress on managing IAS eco-rationally and sustainably. The Congress will also address the gaps between research and field applications, key links between biological invasions, biodiversity and ecological safety, as well as the relationships between climate change and biological invasions.