The Prince of Wales will announce a new initiative for indigenous people and environmental defenders in Brazil during United for Wildlife’s annual summit. He is in the country to stage the Earthshot Prize in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday and will also attend COP30 in Belem, a city in the Amazon.

The initiative targets Indigenous people and local defenders in Brazil. The prince said that Indigenous peoples and local communities have long protected the world’s ecosystems, but they face rising risks as the Amazon faces deforestation and development pressures, including agriculture, logging and mining, wildlife trafficking and the building of roads and dams. He added that tackling the climate crisis requires backing those who defend nature and that the programme builds on the ranger support package by extending it through a new partnership to protect Brazil’s frontline defenders.

The effort builds on a ranger insurance package announced at last year’s Earthshot Prize in South Africa. The five-year programme, created in partnership with the Tusk Trust and the Game Ranger Association of Africa, provides 10,000 rangers with affordable in-service and medical evacuation insurance. After one year, the scheme covers more than 6,000 rangers across Africa. Performers at the ceremony include Kylie Minogue and Shawn Mendes, with Gilberto Gil also taking part; Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will join William at the event, after which both will meet world leaders at COP30.