Nairobi: 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.
According to Kenya News Agency, 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.
Dr. Charles Lange, the Director for Environmental Services at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the conference co-chair, stated that this event is a significant moment for Kenya and Africa to bring together experts and the public to engage in discussions on issues affecting various sectors of the economy, health, and development. 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, highlighted the historic collaboration between the health and environment sectors. He emphasized that climate change poses a significant threat to health and challenges the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) in Africa. During the conference, Kenya will launch the Climate Change and Health Strategy (2024-2029), aiming to strengthen primary prevention, health preparedness, and policy readiness to address the climate crisis.
Conference secretary Ms. Anne Irungu, a climate and health researcher with ARIN, mentioned that 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).
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. She encouraged students, researchers, and practitioners to register and participate, noting that the event would provide opportunities for learning, networking, and collaborative research.
Organizers confirmed that youth and community groups will play an active role in the conference, particularly on the final day, which will focus on field-based learning and community exhibitions. 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.