Royal Foundation hosts landmark roundtable ahead of COP30
Prince William is placing Indigenous voices at the forefront of global climate
efforts, continuing his advocacy for inclusive environmental leadership.
On Thursday, 26 June, the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Royal Foundation
hosted a significant roundtable discussion at St James’s Palace. Held in
collaboration with United for Wildlife and the Earthshot Prize, the event
formed part of London Climate Action Week and focused on strengthening
Indigenous-led solutions to the climate crisis.
Titled Nature’s Guardians: On the Road to COP30 & Beyond, the discussion
united Indigenous leaders, government representatives, and environmental
advocates. Among them was Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia
Guajajara, whose presence highlighted the global significance of the
gathering.
In his opening address, Prince William, 43, declared: “All life begins with
nature. Our forests, rivers, and the ocean are not just landscapes, they are
the foundation of life on Earth.” He emphasised that Indigenous Peoples must
be “at the centre” of conservation strategies, describing their role as “among
the most effective forces for conservation.”
The Prince also issued a clear call to action: “We must move from promises to
action — grounded in respect, equity, and shared responsibility.”
This powerful meeting came just one day before the release of the final
episode of Guardians, William’s docuseries highlighting the crucial work of
wildlife rangers and environmental defenders around the world.
It also marks a key moment ahead of his upcoming trip to Brazil for COP30 in
November, where he is set to announce this year’s Earthshot Prize winners and
continue championing global environmental progress.
