We need to act before we extinguish ourselves: Chandrika Kumaratunga

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has said the developed countries as well as developing countries need to make a commitment to protect the environment and build inclusive societies to achieve a secure and sustainable world.

“We cannot have sustainable development without protecting the environment,” the former Sri Lankan leader said at the World Sustainable Development Summit 2019. 

Kumaratunga, a member of the World Leadership Alliance Club de Madrid, addressed a leadership panel on ‘A Vision for a Secure and Sustainable World for All’ on the second day of the World Sustainable Development Summit 2019 held from 11-13 February in New Delhi, India.

In the panel moderated by TERI Distinguished Fellow Prodipto Ghosh, the former Leader spoke about the need for an all-inclusive society and world.

She said the ‘Vision for a Secure and Sustainable World for All’ hinges on two major factors: One, respect for nature, and two, respect and concern for people.”

With regards to climate change and sustainable development, the former President talked about the need to see the bigger picture while making decisions, rather than immediate convenience, and for development to be an all-inclusive process that does not alienate, but involve.

She said all development projects and planning that goes into projects have to take serious note of protection of nature and the environment.

Kumaratunga said Sri Lanka suffered two major tragedies: One, the 2004 tsunami due to climate change, and the other, the war due to the failure of the Sri Lankan State to build an inclusive society.

The former President said that if governments do not take enough responsibility, non-governmental organisations, civil society, political parties and others need to force them to do so, “before we extinguish ourselves”.

The World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) is the annual flagship event of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). TERI, in its journey of 17 years, has become a focal point for global leaders and practitioners to congregate at a single platform to discuss and deliberate over climatic issues of universal importance.The Summit series has emerged as the premier international event on sustainability which focusses on the global future, but with an eye on the actions in the developing world which could bend our common future.