Queen Diambi & US Ambassador Eric : Global Dialogue on Environmental Sustainability and Human Rights

Queen Diambi Kabatusuila & US Ambassador Eric Garcetti: Global Dialogue on Environmental Sustainability and Human Rights

KAKALI DAS

Guwahati, November 27, 2024: The scenic Guwahati in Assam became a nexus of global thought as it hosted “Evangelizing the Third Pole and the Eastern Himalaya,” a profound event organized by the Balipara Foundation.

Bringing together environmentalists, academics, and activists from around the world, the event highlighted the critical intersections between environmental sustainability and human rights.

Moderated by noted climate activist Rituraj Phukan, the platform facilitated thought-provoking discussions and inspired actionable insights.

Queen Diambi & US Ambassador Eric : Global Dialogue on Environmental Sustainability and Human Rights — Queen Diambi Kabatusuila

The highlight of the event was the keynote address by Her Royal Highness Queen Diambi Kabatusuilaof the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose impassioned speech delved into colonial legacies, ancestral wisdom, and the urgency of environmental preservation.

Complementing her works was a stirring valedictory speech by the US Ambassador Eric Garcetti, who reflected on his personal connection to nature and emphasized global collaboration for environmental stewardship.

Queen Diambi’s Appeal forUnity and Decolonization

Queen Diambi’s keynote speech resonated deeply with the audience, addressing the stigmatization of Africa through colonial narratives and advocating for a global reawakening of humanity’s shared heritage. “Africa is the home of humanity,” she declared, emphasizing the continent’s historical significance as the cradle of civilization.

Tracing humanity’s origins back to Africa, she highlighted the advanced knowledge early Africans shared with the world. Queen Diambi urged the dismantling of exploitative neo-colonial systems, calling for the celebration of Africa’s creativity, resilience, and environmental leadership.

Turning to the Eastern Himalayas, the Queen drew compelling parallels between Africa and this biodiversity hotspot, both under threat from environmental degradation and climate change. “Our ancestors revered nature because they were wise,” she said, advocating for a return to ancestral values to combat environmental crises. Her speech underscored the vital connection between biodiversity and human survival, cautioning that humanity’s fate is inextricably linked to the health of ecosystems.

Her powerful assertion—“Being smart can lead to creating an atomic bomb; being wise means refusing to build one”—left a lasting impact, inspiring the audience to prioritize wisdom in technological and environmental advancements.

Queen Diambi urged the audience to question entrenched global paradigms that perpetuate inequality. “We never called ourselves the global South, and we don’t call them the global North. These labels are constructs imposed upon us,” she declared. Her call for reclaiming identity and dismantling colonial frameworks resonated across the room, sparking a profound introspection about what development truly means.

The Queen criticized conventional development models that prioritize resource extraction, environmental degradation, and human exploitation. She highlighted how such models have historically marginalized countries, especially in Africa, stripping them of their cultural and natural wealth under the guise of progress. “Development cannot just be about building roads and breaking mountains,” she stated. “It must be about preserving humanity, culture, and nature in harmony.”

Her plea was not merely about preserving the environment but also about preserving humanity itself. She lamented the social disintegration seen in urbanized societies: “Children are killing themselves because we have built societies where there is no connection, no community. Women’s work in the home is disregarded, forcing them into labor markets, and now children are raised by daycare centers.”

This, she argued, was a direct consequence of a developmental model that disregards human well-being in favor of material gain.

Queen Diambi emphasized the importance of ancestral knowledge and sustainable living practices, particularly from Africa’s rich heritage. She recounted how Africa’s ancient civilizations mastered mathematics, architecture, and medicine long before colonization.

These civilizations thrived by living in harmony with nature, constructing cities based on fractal mathematics that respected natural laws. “Our ancestors understood the geometry of nature and built thriving societies. Why are we now following models that disconnect us from these roots?” she asked.

The Queen’s message extended beyond Africa. She drew parallels with indigenous communities in the Himalayas and other parts of the world, stressing the need for a global coalition to defend biodiversity. She warned of the environmental consequences of ignoring ancestral wisdom, pointing to the rising tide of e-waste and pollution affecting marginalized communities.

Queen Diambi’s address further amplified the importance of this region, urging immediate action to prevent irreversible environmental degradation. “If we lose our biodiversity, we lose life itself. We are biological beings, and without our ecosystems, we cannot survive,” she warned.

A Call for Global Responsibility

Queen Diambi’s call extended to the international community, urging global institutions to reconsider their roles in perpetuating economic and environmental colonization.

She criticized entities like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank for their continued exploitation of resource-rich but economically vulnerable nations. “Colonization has evolved into economic mechanisms that still oppress and exploit,” she asserted, calling for a reevaluation of global economic policies to ensure equity and justice.

Rituraj Phukan: Advocating for the Third Pole

In his address, moderator Rituraj Phukan spotlighted the Third Pole—the Himalayan region—as a critical yet often overlooked ecosystem. He stressed the reliance of nearly 40% of humanity on the water and biodiversity sustained by the Himalayas.

Phukan lamented the disproportionate attention given to regions like the Amazon and Arctic while the Third Pole faces rapid climate change. He called for solutions grounded in indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage to address these challenges.

US Ambassador Eric Garcetti’s Vision for Environmental Collaboration

The US Ambassador Eric Garcetti added depth to the event by sharing his personal environmental journey in his valedictory speech, which began during his teenage years. Reflecting on his first encounter with the Himalayas at 14, he described the mountains as “holy” and pivotal in shaping his environmental advocacy.

Garcetti emphasized the interconnectedness of humanity, likening it to the interconnected roots of Aspen trees in the US—a metaphor for shared global responsibility. He also highlighted India’s role as a partner in clean energy and environmental innovation, while underscoring the urgency of addressing air pollution and climate change in urban centers like Delhi.

Drawing from cultural traditions, Garcetti invoked Indian and American environmental philosophies, referencing figures like John Muir and the Hindu goddess Aranyani.

He closed with a call to climate action, urging individuals and nations to adopt heroic measures for environmental preservation, describing forests as symbols of hope and drivers of sustainable growth.

This event stands as a powerful reminder of humanity’s interconnectedness and the pressing need to safeguard our planet for future generations.

Balipara 4 — Ranjit Barthakur, Balipara Foundation (Left) and Rituraj Phukan

27-11-2024

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