Prince William has warned of a ‘nature crisis’ facing the world as he delivered a speech at an anti-wildlife trade summit in Brazil.
The landmark speech was given at the United for Wildlife Summit – thrown by the Prince and Princess of Wales’s Royal Foundation – in Rio on Tuesday night.
The royal sported an eye-catching scarf given to him by an indigenous leader in Brazil as he met stars from a docuseries he made.
The women from the Amazon Rainforest feature in the sixth episode of the royal’s BBC Earth ‘Guardians’ programmes, which aired earlier this year.
The series highlighted the crucial and often deadly work of rangers around the world in protecting their environment.
The prince met Maisa Guajajara, Poliana Moreira Guajajara and Claudia Maria Guajajara Da Silva at a United for Wildlife Summit in Rio on Tuesday.
The summit is being thrown by the Royal Foundation – the Prince and Princess of Wales‘s charitable organisation – ahead of the COP30 climate summit next week.
William delivered a landmark speech on Tuesday to highlight Brazil’s role in illegal wildlife trade.
He told the United for Wildlife conference that Latin America ‘stands as a global leader in biodiversity and environmental conservation’ and will play a ‘crucial role in shaping the world’s response to nature loss at this decisive moment’.
He said: ‘We all know that we face a nature crisis… with global biodiversity decreasing, climate change accelerating, and environmental crime fuelling ecological decline.
Prince William during the United for Wildlife Summit at Pier Maua, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Tuesday
Vanda Witoto (left) Climate Activist, Indigenous Leader and Executive Director of Witoto Institute, drapes a garment on William during the summit
‘As we’ve heard this evening, environmental crime is now one of the most profitable and damaging forms of transnational crime.
‘In the past year alone, over 1.7 million hectares of the Amazon were cleared across this region… much of which is driven by illicit activity.
‘This crime fuels violence and corruption, distorts legitimate economies, and negatively impacts the livelihoods of millions.
‘For Indigenous communities, these losses are not just environmental but existential. As forests are destroyed, so are their ancestral lands, sacred sites and even lives.’
It comes after the royal participated in a game of beach volleyball alongside Olympic star Carolina Solberg on Monday, as he soaked in the sun ahead of his Wednesday presentation of the Earthshot Prize – the world’s most prestigious environmental awards.
The women from the Guerreiras da Floresta – a collective of Indigenous women from the Guajajara people in Brazil – combine ancestral knowledge with modern technology such as drones and GPS-enabled cameras to combat illegal logging, poaching, and land invasions.
Prince William said: ‘I recognise you! You guys were brilliant in the film.’
She places the black and cream scarf over his head and tells William it took three hours to make
The event on Tuesday is in partnership with Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Prince William listens during the United for Wildlife Summit at Pier Maua, Rio de Janeiro
Speaking through a translator, the Prince of Wales asked them about feeling protected and isolated and whether they had good support.
He said: ‘Thank you so much – lots of people have seen your video.’
William was wearing round his neck a scarf given to him by Vanda Witoto, Climate Activist and Indigenous Leader from the Witoto people in the Brazilian Amazon.
She placed the black and cream scarf over his head and said to William it took three hours to make.
It symbolised food and health, she told him through a translator.
Prince William also greeted Brazilian TV presenter Maria Julia ‘Maju’ Coutinho – the first Black woman to anchor a primetime national newscast in Brazil.
Yesterday the Prince and former Brazil defender Cafu played against each other in a three-a-side match testing the skills of schoolboys from across Rio.
Kleber Karipuna (right), Executive Coordinator of Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), speaks with Prince William during the United for Wildlife Summit
Prince William also greeted Brazilian TV presenter Maria Julia ‘Maju’ Coutinho – the first Black woman to anchor a primetime national newscast in Brazil
Cafu led his side to a 3-2 victory over William and his teammates but the Prince quickly moved on to join a training session with a group of young girls holding cups of water as they dribbled, in a bid to improve their balance by not spilling the liquid.
William ended his football drills by taking a penalty against goalie Pedro Enrique, 14, as his teammates chanted his name.
When he scored he was mobbed by youngsters wanting a high-five.
