Africa Sets Stage for Landmark Conference Linking Environment, Climate Change & HealthPan-African gathering in Nairobi to forge science-led solutions to urgent continental crises

Africa Sets Stage for Landmark Conference Linking Environment, Climate Change & Health

Pan-African gathering in Nairobi to forge science-led solutions to urgent continental crises

By Stella Ranji 

Nairobi, Kenya – 16 October 2025 at Emara Ole Sereni hotel 

Africa is taking decisive and collaborative action to confront the continent’s most pressing and interconnected challenges—climate change, environmental degradation, and public health—through a high-level conference set to take place in Nairobi from 21 to 24 October 2025.

The Pan-African Conference on Environment, Climate Change & Health: Science to Policy will bring together over 600 delegates at Emara Ole Sereni Hotel, marking one of the most comprehensive efforts yet to align scientific knowledge with policymaking in Africa’s climate-health landscape.

Uniting for Urgent Change


Africa is already on the frontlines of the climate crisis. From record-breaking heatwaves and catastrophic flooding to rising air pollution, disease outbreaks, and food insecurity, the impacts are widespread and worsening. According to estimates, these intertwined crises are costing the continent up to 5% of its GDP annually—a toll that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and undermines long-term development goals.

“This is not just a climate or a health issue—it is a survival issue for our communities,” said Dr. Susan Njoroge, a public health expert involved in the conference planning. “Africa has both the need and the opportunity to lead in crafting resilient, equitable solutions that can serve as global models.”

A Collaborative, Continental Effort

The landmark conference is being co-convened by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry of Kenya, in partnership with key regional and international organizations. These include the Climate and Health Africa Network for Collaboration and Engagement (CHANCE), Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Amref Health Africa, and Africa CDC. Strategic support has been provided by Wellcome and other global donors.

“This is a milestone event that shows what’s possible when science, policy, and community engagement come together,” noted Dr. Amina Issa, Director of CHANCE. “We are building bridges that will outlast this conference.”

Themes, Tracks, and Global Voices


The four-day event will span nine thematic tracks, focusing on climate-resilient health systems, pollution and water management, ecosystem protection, climate finance, governance and justice, urban environments, health equity, and technological innovation. Delegates will include policymakers, scientists, health professionals, civil society leaders, innovators, and youth representatives from across Africa and the globe.

The conference will also feature keynote addresses and panels by globally respected voices in climate and health, including senior African government officials, leading researchers, and experts from multilateral institutions.

Toward Action and Accountability

Organizers emphasize that the conference aims not only to foster dialogue but to produce tangible outcomes—policy briefs, collaborative frameworks, and investment pathways that can be implemented at both national and regional levels.

“This is not a talk shop,” said Hon. Peter Kimani, Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry. “It’s a call to action rooted in science, shaped by African realities, and driven by the urgent need to protect our people and planet.”

The Pan-African Conference on Environment, Climate Change & Health could set a precedent for how the continent and the world address one of the defining challenges of our time—by centering science, equity, and the health of both people and the planet.

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