A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference Opening Reception

Thank you Secretary of State, Your Excellencies, Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is a huge pleasure to welcome you to St James's Palace, and to the 2018 Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference.

It is wonderful to see so many of you here from around the world and from all walks of life. Whether you are Presidents, policy makers, philanthropists, police or park rangers, thank you for coming to London.

We are here to listen and learn from you about what works.

This is a global summit because the urgent challenge of the illegal wildlife trade is one we face as a global community.

This crime continues to hamper sustainable development, undermine the rule of law and deprive local communities of some of their most valuable natural resources.

And of course it threatens some of the world's most iconic species with the very real prospect of extinction from the wild.

Action is required now. It is only by pulling together across charities, industries and government agencies, as well as across borders and continents, that we will truly succeed in ending this senseless crime.  

I am delighted to finish by formally opening the 2018 Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference.

We have a busy few days of hard work ahead.

And I look forward to seeing you in Battersea tomorrow.  

Thank you.