A video message by The Duke of Cambridge for CITES about wildlife conservation

Published

Our children should have the same opportunity that we have to experience wildlife in its many beautiful and varied forms.

Honorable Prime Minister, Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished delegates.

Today you are embarking on an extremely important journey.  What you decide in this room over the next two weeks could determine the fate of some of the world’s most captivating species, as well as many lesser known plants and animals that warrant equal attention.

As we enter 2013, the world’s natural resources are under threat as never before.  We know from the data and analysis presented to this meeting that the illegal killing of the African elephant and rhino, and the related illegal trade in their ivory and horn, has reached shocking levels in the past few years.  Such threats are not confined to the African continent, with many Asian species now also coming under threat.

We must do more to combat this serious crime if we are to reverse the current alarming trends.   If not, we could soon see some populations of these creatures, or even an entire species, disappear from the wild. 

We simply must not let this catastrophe unfold.  Our children should have the same opportunity that we have to experience wildlife in its many beautiful and varied forms.

I recently had a chance to meet John Scanlon, your Secretary-General, to discuss these issues.   As we all work together, we can reverse these trends, we can make a difference and what you decide right here in Bangkok will make that difference. 

At this crucial meeting, you will also consider many other important issues, including whether to bring additional timber species under CITES controls, as well as several sharks and rays.  In doing so, you have the best available science before you to help inform your deliberations and decisions.  

The Kingdom of Thailand has been characteristically generous in hosting this very special Conference of the Parties.  If I may, I would like to wish all participants a highly productive and successful meeting.  There will undoubtedly be differences of opinion from time to time, but I know that you are all bound by a common objective to ensure the survival of the planet’s wildlife.

It is 40 years to the day since the Convention was signed in Washington D.C., so please join me in wishing CITES a very happy 40th birthday. 

Thank you.

Related content

Feature

The Prince of Wales attended the United for Wildlife Summit

The Prince of Wales attended the United for Wildlife (UfW) Global Summit
Feature

The inaugural Earthshot Prize Ceremony Awards London

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the first ever Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony
Feature

The Duke of Cambridge visited Microsoft Headquarters to learn how new technology is disrupting the illegal wildlife trade

The Duke of Cambridge, visited Microsoft Headquarters to view AI scanning technology
Feature

The Duke of Cambridge attended The Royal Foundation’s Emergency Services Mental Health Symposium

The Duke of Cambridge spoke to emergency services from across all four nations.

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at a virtual meeting of the United for Wildlife Taskforces

Right now, there is a real chance to ensure that the urgent steps that the world must take to prevent future zoonotic disease pandemics are designed in a way that also helps...

15 July 2020

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Tusk Conservation Awards

My generation and those following are acutely aware that we cannot simply carry on as we are.

21 November 2019
Feature

The King's Cup

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will host the inaugural regatta The King’s Cup in 2019

A speech delivered by The Duke of Cambridge at a United for Wildlife Joint Taskforce meeting

It has taken a lot of hard work – and real commitment – to get to the point where you are all sitting here together today. And we should all feel proud that we’re starting to...

14 May 2019

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the United for Wildlife Financial Taskforce Declaration Signing

This trade has become the fourth largest criminal trafficking enterprise in the world, with billions of pounds flowing into the black market.

10 October 2018

A speech delivered by The Duke of Cambridge at the Workplace Wellbeing Conference

I am delighted that The Royal Foundation and Mind will be launching a new Workplace Wellbeing Programme in September to support employers across the country

01 March 2018

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at The Royal Foundation Forum

When we work together, we are greater than the sum of our parts." – The Duke of Cambridge on the impact of The Royal Foundation and its ability to bring people together to...

28 February 2018

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the National Launch of Step into Health, London

Supporting veterans has always been a key plank of the work my brother and I have done through The Royal Foundation. The men and women of our armed forces who stand up to...

18 January 2018

The Duke of Cambridge gives a speech at the Tusk Trust Ball

Enormous strides have been made in tackling the threat posed to so many species by the illegal wildlife trade.

02 November 2017

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at The Guild of Health Writers Conference

My thanks to all of you, for your continued focus as journalists on mental health, breaking down the barriers around it.

06 February 2017

A speech by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry at the Heads Together event, London 2017

It is no exaggeration to say that conversations – simple conversations – can be life-changing: in a workplace, in your kitchen at home, with a friend, family member or...

17 January 2017

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Heads Together Unilever Conference

Without employers committed to changing attitudes, we would be pushing a rock uphill – but, with you, we can and will change the way we think about mental health in this...

05 December 2016

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Tusk Awards 2016

Our natural heritage does not belong to us – I believe we simply hold it, in trust, for our children and grandchildren. Wherever we are in the world, we must all play our part...

01 December 2016

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the third International Conference on the Illegal Wildlife Trade

We can win this battle. And in doing so we can take a small, but very important step in reminding ourselves that we are capable of rising to the challenges of our age

17 November 2016

A speech by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry for Heads Together on World Mental Health Day

To us, mental health first aid means getting in there early to support people, before what they're going through becomes more serious or even clinical.

10 October 2016

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the launch of Canada's contribution to The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy

Her Majesty is immensely grateful to you, and the people of Canada, for the leadership you have shown in making this contribution

26 September 2016

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at Tusk's Time for Change event, The Shard, London

We have the opportunity to end, once and for all, the mixed messages we have sent for too long about the value and desirability of wildlife products

22 September 2016
Press release 22 September 2016

The Duke of Cambridge will visit Vietnam

Read more
Press release 28 April 2016

The Duke of Cambridge launches Cyberbullying Taskforce

Read more

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce declaration signing

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you so much for joining us here at Buckingham Palace for the signing of this declaration. Lord Hague, on behalf of everyone here, can I say a huge...

15 March 2016
Feature

Combatting the illegal wildlife trade

The Duke of Cambridge is committed to tackling the illegal wildlife trade

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Tusk Conservation Awards 2015

This is the sharp end of the human impact of one of the world's most pressing conservation crises.

24 November 2015