Prince William meeting the President of Colombia.Photo: Alamy Stock Photo
Prince Williamis giving special thanks to the country of Colombia.
On Thursday, the Duke of Cambridge held an audience with the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque, to personally share his appreciation for the South American country’s support of a key campaign.
The meeting took place at Kensington Palace, which is the main residence of William,Kate Middletonand their three children,Prince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louis. Personal family photos can be seen in the background as the two men chatted. One appears to be a black and white photo of William’s late mother, Princess Diana, while the other appears to be a photo of Kate cradling one of their young children.
Colombia is the first country to sign up to William’s campaign against the illegal trafficking of wildlife. The prince’s office said the move “represents a commitment from the country to take affirmative steps to tackle the Illegal wildlife trade through a combination of policy and wider cooperation nationally, regionally and internationally.”
Alamy Stock Photo
Colombia joined the effort on Earth Day last month when Carlos Correa, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, signed the declaration at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Bogotá.
At the time, William, 39, expressed his delight at the news.
“The illegal wildlife trade funds organised criminal networks around the world, without respect for borders and without remorse for the brutal exploitation of our natural world and the communities that rely on it for their livelihoods,” he said.
“It is a global crisis that requires a significant, joined up response. I hope other nations will follow Colombia’s leadership and commit to supporting this goal and shutting down trafficking routes for good.”
United for Wildlife brings together a coalition of campaigning groups, and, as president, William has visited China and Vietnam to highlight the trade in areas where there is the most consumption. He has also spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping and former PresidentBarack Obamaabout the issue.
Earlier this week, William took part in a top-level meeting of a different kind — stepping in forQueen Elizabethfor the firsttime in representing herfollowing the death of a foreign ruler. He traveled to the United Arab Emirates to pay condolences following the death of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
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source: people.com
