Prince William Says Wife Kate Doing 'Really Well' after Chemotherapy

Britain's Prince William, the Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Cornwall when in Cornwall, reacts during a visit to St. Mary's Harbour, the maritime gateway to the Isles of Scilly, England, to meet representatives from local businesses operating in the area, Friday May 10, 2024. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)
Britain's Prince William, the Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Cornwall when in Cornwall, reacts during a visit to St. Mary's Harbour, the maritime gateway to the Isles of Scilly, England, to meet representatives from local businesses operating in the area, Friday May 10, 2024. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)
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Prince William Says Wife Kate Doing 'Really Well' after Chemotherapy

Britain's Prince William, the Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Cornwall when in Cornwall, reacts during a visit to St. Mary's Harbour, the maritime gateway to the Isles of Scilly, England, to meet representatives from local businesses operating in the area, Friday May 10, 2024. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)
Britain's Prince William, the Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Cornwall when in Cornwall, reacts during a visit to St. Mary's Harbour, the maritime gateway to the Isles of Scilly, England, to meet representatives from local businesses operating in the area, Friday May 10, 2024. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

Britain's Prince William said on Wednesday his wife Kate was doing "really well" and had been amazing in a year when she has undergone preventative chemotherapy for cancer.

The British heir to the throne is currently in South Africa where he will later host the annual awards ceremony for his multi-million-dollar

Earthshot Prize. He made the trip without Kate who is still recovering from her treatment.

He said she would be cheering him on from their home in Britain.

"She's doing really well thanks," he told the BBC ahead of his environmental prize's awards ceremony in Cape Town. "She's been amazing this whole year. I know she will be really keen to see tonight be a success."

As well as Kate, he said he hoped their three children George, 11, Charlotte, 9, and Louis, 6, would also be watching on proudly, saying they as a family did what they could to help the environment.

"We go through all the basics of recycling and making sure we minimise water use and turning off lights when we leave the house and stuff like that," he said.

William set up the Earthshot prize to find innovations to combat climate and other green issues in 2020, inspired by U.S. President John F. Kennedy's 1960s "moonshot" project which led to the 1969 lunar landing. Five winners receive 1 million pounds ($1.3 million) every year to drive their projects.

Asked how he could convey his Earthshot message during a tough political climate for environmental causes, he told the BBC: "I think everyone wants some hope and wants some optimism."

He said the young people of Africa who would attend the awards would show how important the issue was to them.

"Without them, you know, the future is looking pretty bleak," he said.

 

 

 

 

 



UNCCD Executive Secretary Praises Saudi Efforts to Combat Desertification

The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA
The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA
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UNCCD Executive Secretary Praises Saudi Efforts to Combat Desertification

The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA
The current conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges - SPA

The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Ibrahim Thiaw, highlighted that the world is currently facing a critical situation. The increasing frequency and unpredictability of droughts present significant challenges to agricultural and food systems in affected countries. He emphasized that land restoration is one of the most effective tools for tackling these global challenges.
During his speech at the opening plenary session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) Monday in Riyadh, he praised Saudi Arabia for its commitment to combating drought and promoting land restoration through the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI).
The ongoing conference session focuses on enhancing capacities to address global drought challenges.

On its first day, three major international initiatives were announced, including the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Initiative.

This initiative aims to mobilize international action to improve preparedness for drought, transitioning the global response from emergency crisis management and post-crisis relief to a proactive approach centered on early prevention and preparedness before disasters occur.
Additionally, the International Drought Observatory and the Global Drought Atlas were launched, both designed to enhance monitoring and tracking efforts, implement preventive measures, and raise awareness among various stakeholders about drought issues worldwide.
On the eve of the multi-stakeholder talks in Riyadh, the UNCCD released a new report that underscores the escalating global emergency caused by land degradation.

The report highlights the damage caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, which are responsible for 80% of deforestation and account for 70% of freshwater consumption. Furthermore, 23% of greenhouse gas emissions stem from agriculture, forestry, and land use.
According to the latest UNCCD report, 46% of the world's land area is classified as arid. COP16 in Riyadh, taking place from December 2 to 13, is the largest session of the Conference of the Parties to date.

It marks the introduction of a green zone, an innovative concept introduced by the Kingdom to mobilize multilateral action and provide necessary funding for initiatives aimed at rehabilitating degraded lands.