At the United for Wildlife Global Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Prince William announced an international partnership to protect indigenous leaders threatened in the Amazon. The 'Protect the Protectors' program provides legal aid and emergency support amid rising violence. The event focused on tackling environmental crimes and the vital role of local communities.
Prince William, heir to the British throne, arrived in Brazil on Monday (3/11) for environmental agendas, including the United for Wildlife Global Summit held on Tuesday afternoon (4/11) at Píer Mauá in downtown Rio de Janeiro. The event, led by him and organized in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Interpol, Federal Police, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, brought together private sector representatives, donors, indigenous and community leaders to boost actions against environmental crimes, such as wildlife trafficking.
In his historic speech, William stressed that 'environmental crimes are not just a conservation issue, but a critical threat to global stability, governance, and climate resilience,' according to a Kensington Palace statement. He announced the 'Protect the Protectors' program, which provides legal assistance, an emergency response fund for evacuations, safe shelters, and protected communications. The aim is to address the 393 cases of violence against environmental defenders recorded in 2023 and 2024 in the Amazon region.
'We cannot protect the forests while their defenders live in fear,' William stated. 'We must protect the protectors if we want to secure the future of these critical environments.' The initiative unites the Royal Foundation, Coiab (Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon), Podáali Fund, Rainforest Foundation Norway, and Re:wild. Coiab, representing about 750,000 indigenous people across 110 million hectares, will implement the program. 'Defending our territories is a mission inherited from our ancestors. We invite the world to join this global fight to protect those who protect the Earth,' said Toya Manchineri, the entity's coordinator.
The United for Wildlife program, created by William and the Royal Foundation in 2013, is a global alliance involving the private sector, security forces, governments, and NGOs to identify, disrupt, and prevent illegal wildlife trafficking. This year's summit focused on amplifying the voices of indigenous peoples and local communities, who play a vital role as planetary defenders. Over a decade, the initiative has achieved significant progress and launched a six-part documentary series on environmental guardians.
Before the event, William visited Guanabara Bay, reviewed mangrove preservation projects in Guapimirim, and planted mangrove tree saplings. The previous day, he toured Sugarloaf Mountain, Maracanã Stadium, and Copacabana Beach in private conversations. His trip also includes the Earthshot Prize awards, created in 2020 for innovative environmental solutions, at the Museum of Tomorrow on Wednesday (5/11). This marks the Royal Foundation's first direct action in the Amazon, underscoring the region's global priority for climate protection and indigenous rights.