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.
