Prince William Urges World Leaders at UN for Key Cause Hours After Prince Harry’s Appearance

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince William in his video address made to the UN meeting on Sept. 24, 2024.Photo:Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace

Prince Williamis making an urgent appeal on behalf of his children and generations to come.

Late on Tuesday, Sept. 24, the Prince of Wales, 42, appeared via video link to talk to heads of state at the United Nations.

It came just hours after his brotherPrince Harry, 40, had visited the UN on behalf of Lesotho, a country he’s had a close connection to for 20 years.

In his virtual address, William, said world leaders have a duty to halt the loss of vital natural habitats and preserve biodiversity across the globe.

“We now have just five years to deliver on our collective promise,” he said at the meeting on biodiversity that took place at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Prince William at an Earthshot Prize event in London in June 2024.Kin Cheung - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Kin Cheung - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Opening the event, which is taking place during climate week in New York City, William called the destruction of “these precious ecosystems” the “most pressing existential threat we face.”

“If we are to keep this planet liveable for our children and grandchildren, we must act urgently,” he continued.

His intervention was made as his passion projectThe Earthshot Prizeannounced its latest cohort of finalists. The winners, who will receive $1.3 million to scale up their projects to help repair the planet, will be announced in Cape Town, on Nov. 6. Three of the finalists come from the U.S.

William is also heavily involved with United for Wildlife, which makes crucial interventions to help secure the future of endangered animals from poaching and habitat loss.

“We must act to save our rivers, oceans, savannas, mangroves and forests, as well as the communities that protect and live alongside them,” William said on Tuesday.

Prince William at an event to support his Earthshot Prize winners in London, in Oct. 2023.Kate Green/Getty

Kate Green/Getty

“But, the truth is, we are living at odds with the natural world, and it is buckling under the pressure of our actions.”

“The global loss of unique natural areas poses a grave threat to our climate, our clean air, our drinking water, and our health.”

Prince William in his video address to the meeting at the UN, Sept. 24 2024.Kensington Palace

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“I believe that if leaders worldwide commit to work together, accept that change is no longer a choice but an imperative, and join with businesses, communities, innovators and citizens to take bold, perhaps challenging and creative steps, we can meet our commitments to each other and the future generations,” William said.

“We are all in this together.”

William’s speech came as his wifePrincess Kate, 42, hosted a meeting at Windsor Castle for her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey in December. It is the latest stage in her gradual return to work since she ended her chemotherapy treatment.

source: people.com