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William meets Colombian president after pledge to tackle illegal wildlife trade

Colombia became the first country to sign up to United for Wildlife’s Buckingham Palace Declaration last month.

Laura Elston
Thursday 19 May 2022 13:23 BST
The Duke of Cambridge during an audience to receive the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque Marquez, at Kensington Palace (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)
The Duke of Cambridge during an audience to receive the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque Marquez, at Kensington Palace (Kirsty O’Connor/PA) (PA Wire)

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The Duke of Cambridge has held an audience with the President of Colombia.

William’s meeting with Ivan Duque Marquez followed the South American nation becoming the first country in the world to sign up to United for Wildlife’s declaration on tackling illegal wildlife trade.

The duke was pictured listening intently to Mr Duque Marquez as they sat on sofas at William’s Kensington Palace home on Thursday.

Colombia signed the Buckingham Palace Declaration on Earth Day last month.

It was drawn up by United for Wildlife, which was founded by William and the Royal Foundation, with the aim to make it impossible for traffickers to transport, finance or profit from illegal wildlife products.

Featuring 11 commitments, it aims to help the transport industry deal with the problem through a combination of policy and wider co-operation nationally, regionally and internationally.

William has long campaigned against illegal wildlife trade, previously calling organisations to play their part in helping to end the “abhorrent crime” which includes the poaching of elephants for ivory and tigers for their skins.

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