Kenya will next week host the inaugural Pan-African Conference on Environment, Climate Change and Health.
The event brings together experts, scientists, policymakers and stakeholders from across the continent and beyond to deliberate on solutions linking environmental sustainability, climate resilience and human health.
The four-day conference, scheduled for October 21–24, 2025 in Nairobi, will run under the theme “Harnessing Science, Policy and Partnerships for Environmental Sustainability and Climate and Health Resilience.”
Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, the organizers said that the meeting will provide a critical platform for dialogue and innovation sharing on the interconnected challenges of climate change, environment, and public health.
“This is one of the great and unique moments for us in Kenya and Africa to bring together experts and the public to have a dialogue on issues that cut across all sectors of economy, health, and development,” said Dr. Charles Lange, the Director for Environmental Services at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the conference co-chair.
He noted that the event is expected to attract presentations from scientists across Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, as well as exhibitions showcasing innovations and research solutions addressing the triple nexus of environment, climate change, and health.
The conference is jointly convened by NEMA, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN), the Climate and Health Africa Network for Networking and Engagement (CHANCE), the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), and Africa CDC, among other partners.
Lange urged Kenyans and the media to take part in the landmark event, describing it as an opportunity to learn, network, and access topical information that can inform national and regional policy.
Mr Lolem Lokolile Bosco from the Ministry of Health, who co-chairs the national steering committee, said the meeting marks a historic collaboration between the health and environment sectors.
“For the first time, we are seeing these two sectors coming together under one Pan-African platform,” he said adding: “Climate change is one of the biggest threats to health and a major challenge to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) in Africa.”
He announced that during the conference, Kenya will launch the Climate Change and Health Strategy (2024–2029).
“This conference will help us strengthen primary prevention, health preparedness and policy readiness to address the climate crisis,” he said, adding that the event will also unveil the Nairobi Living Declaration and symbolically hand over the Climate Action Torch to future hosts.
Conference secretary Ms. Anne Irungu, a climate and health researcher with ARIN, said over 600 delegates from Africa and abroad are expected to attend, with more than 60 speakers drawn from global institutions.
Key sponsors include the Wellcome Trust, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), ELHRA (UK), and TNO (Netherlands), alongside local partners such as the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC).
“We have over 14 exhibitors showcasing real climate and health innovations from around the globe,” she said.
Ms. Caroline Muthoni of the Aga Khan University Institute for Human Development and CHANCE representative described the conference as a turning point for breaking traditional silos between sectors.
“This is the first time we have a unique opportunity for partnership between environment and health,” she said. “Kenya is setting an example for Africa by demonstrating that we must stop working in isolation. Agriculture, transport, and housing all impact health and this forum brings them together,” she stressed.
She urged students, researchers, and practitioners to register and participate, noting that the event would provide opportunities for learning, networking, and collaborative research.
Organizers also confirmed that youth and community groups will have an active role in the conference, particularly on the final day, which will focus on field-based learning and community exhibitions.
She also added that early-career researchers are being sponsored to attend, while community groups will present innovative local actions in areas such as waste management, clean energy, and urban resilience.
The Pan-African Conference on Environment, Climate Change and Health will culminate in a declaration outlining Africa’s collective priorities ahead of COP30 in Brazil, reinforcing the continent’s unified voice in global climate negotiations.
by Mary Ndanu
