The Prince of Wales attended the United for Wildlife (UfW) Global Summit at the Science Museum in London, where he delivered a keynote speech highlighting the serious and organised nature of illegal wildlife crime and its damaging impact on global biodiversity and local communities.
The summit brought together over 300 global leaders from law enforcement agencies, conservation organisations and private sector companies who are part of the UfW network, highlighting their pioneering work to drive policy change and support criminal investigations, while galvanising a re-doubling of effort in the collective fight to end the illegal wildlife trade for good.
During the event, hosted by Lord Hague, Chair of The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, speakers announced new policies and unveiled global partnerships to help end the illegal wildlife trade, which is worth up to $20 billion per year and is associated with violent crime, corruption and other forms of trafficking.
The summit also paid tribute to wildlife rangers, who are on the frontline against commercial poachers targeting the world’s most iconic species, while also emphasising the important role of the private sector and collaboration across sectors.
Speakers at the event included; Stephen Kavanagh, Executive Director of Interpol; Xolisile Khanyile, Director, Financial Intelligence Centre and former Director of Public Prosecutions for South Africa; Altin Gysman, Head, Protected Area Integrity/African Field Ranger Training Services at Southern Africa Wildlife College; and Raja Kumar, President of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
