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The Prince of Wales delivered a keynote speech during the United for Wildlife’s third global summit, held in Cape Town amidst Earthshot Week.

In the speech, he announced a game-changing package of support to be made available to rangers and nature protectors across the African continent, reports Cape {town} Etc.

Also read: Prince William brings Earthshot, eco-fashion and rugby spirit to South Africa

The Summit united over 400 key stakeholders from a variety of sectors and its focal point was the power of international collaboration to end illegal wildlife trade.

During his keynote speech, Prince William highlighted the critical role rangers play in nature protection and further announced the new support package for rangers and other professionals who play a critical role in nature protection.

The package will be launched through the collaborative efforts of the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife programme, Tusk Trust and the Game Rangers Association of Africa.

It will provide 10 000 rangers with access to appropriate, affordable in-service and medical evacuation insurance coverage in the next five years, as well as opportunities for training and leadership development. The package consists of a multi-year initiative which is set to be rolled out across the continent.

In addition, 170 nature protectors in South Africa stand to benefit from the new leadership development and capacity-building initiatives, while 60 nature protectors will be provided with access to 2-year leadership training in South Africa’s world-famous Kruger National Park.

‘Rangers are fundamental if we are to meet our global conservation targets for 2030 and prevent the dangerous tipping points that threaten our planet’ stated Prince William during his speech. 

He elaborated on the 2030 targets, stating that with the global commitment by governments to protect and conserve a minimum of 30% of land and sea for nature and people by 2030, the role of the 286 000 nature protectors working across the globe becomes increasingly important.

Every day, tens of thousands of rangers across the continent manage large areas of land and water, safeguarding some of the planet’s most iconic species and landscapes while often putting their own lives at risk.
These rangers are guardians of nature and play a fundamental role in improving environmental security and human well-being and safeguarding nature for future generations.
‘These people do far more than protect wildlife. They are educators. They are community supporters. And they help regulate the sustainable use of natural resources. We cannot protect our planet without them,’ concluded the Prince.

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Picture: Pool / Gallo Images 

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