Prince William, the Prince of Wales, has announced a new initiative aimed at supporting indigenous advocates defending the Amazon rainforest. Speaking at the United for Wildlife summit in Rio de Janeiro, he urged governments, businesses, and civil society to “step up and play their role” in halting environmental destruction and illegal activities threatening this vital ecosystem.
Accompanying his announcement was a video message from Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who stressed the urgency for world leaders to unite with boldness to protect nature. “Nature is our most powerful solution,” DiCaprio said, emphasizing the global importance of preserving the Amazon.
The new project is a collaborative effort involving the Royal Foundation, the Co-ordination of Indigenous Organisations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB), the Podaali Fund, Rainforest Foundation Norway, and Re:wild. It focuses on expanding legal aid access for indigenous communities, establishing an emergency support fund to assist those in immediate danger, and raising awareness about indigenous rights.
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This partnership targets the safety and protection of indigenous leaders across nine Brazilian Amazon states by removing barriers that limit their advocacy. The emergency fund will provide vital resources such as emergency evacuations, secure communication channels, safe houses, and humanitarian aid for individuals at risk.
Additionally, the project aims to enhance global recognition of indigenous peoples' crucial role in forest conservation and improve threat monitoring through shared data platforms. Addressing attendees at the summit, William highlighted the alarming deforestation statistics: over 1.7 million hectares lost in the past year, largely due to illegal activities that fuel violence, corruption, and economic distortion.
“For indigenous communities, these losses are existential,” William stated. “Their ancestral lands, sacred sites, and lives are under threat.” He underscored that indigenous peoples are not merely inhabitants but protectors of the forest, maintaining deforestation rates up to 83% lower on indigenous lands compared to unprotected areas.
Prior to his speech, William met with Amazonian indigenous leaders, wildlife rangers, climate activists, and participants from his BBC Earth documentary series Guardians. This initiative builds on his earlier commitment to frontline conservationists, including a five-year ranger insurance scheme launched at the Earthshot Prize in South Africa, which now insures over 6,000 rangers across Africa.
William’s visit to Brazil marks his first to the country and includes the launch of the Earthshot Prize in Rio de Janeiro and participation in the COP30 UN Climate Change summit in Belem, deep within the Amazon region. Indigenous leader and climate activist Vanda Witoto urged collective action at the summit, describing indigenous and global efforts as “small ants” working together to protect the forest.
Addressing the prince, Witoto said, “You are the small ants mobilising this ant hill of the world,” highlighting the importance of unity and cooperation to tackle environmental challenges.