Delegates attending the Pan-African Conference on Environment, Climate Change, and Health, in Nairobi, have reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to safeguard human health, protect the environment, and strengthen climate resilience across the continent.
The four-day conference, convened under the theme “Harnessing Science, Policy, and Partnerships for Environmental Sustainability and Climate-Health Resilience,” brings together scientists, policymakers, health professionals, environmental experts, civil society, youth, and development partners from across Africa and beyond.
In the Nairobi Declaration on Health, the participants recognised that the health of Africa’s people is inseparably linked to the health of its environment and ecosystems, and called for bold, evidence-driven, and inclusive action to address the continent’s climate and health challenges.
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Deborah Mulongo, welcomed the declaration, noting, “This declaration reinforces Kenya’s commitment to advancing integrated climate and health governance across Africa.
Through collaborative science, policy, and community action, we can transform our adaptation agenda into lasting resilience and sustainable prosperity for all.”
This view was shared by the Chairman of KEMRI Board of Directors, Abdulahi Ali, “From Nairobi, we renew Africa’s leadership in shaping a healthy, climate-resilient future. The Nairobi Declaration calls on every nation to act decisively, invest in nature, and strengthen partnerships that protect both people and planet.”
“This declaration reaffirms Africa’s scientific leadership and our collective resolve to transform evidence into action. From Nairobi, we call upon all nations to accelerate adaptation, strengthen climate-health governance, and champion resilience for generations to come,” notes Acting Director General KEMRI, Prof. Elijah Songok.
“From Nairobi, we send a united message to Africa and the world that we must adapt now, act together, and invest in resilience for our shared future,” the declaration states.
KEMRI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN), and other continental partners, hosted the four-day conference that ends on Friday, 24th October 2025, with an extensive tree planting exercise in Nairobi.
The declaration outlines six Africa’s collective priorities ahead of COP30 in Brazil, reinforcing the continent’s unified voice in global climate negotiations.
Key highlights of the declaration commit African nations and partners to:
- Accelerate Adaptation and Resilience (“Adapt Now”): Scale up local and
national climate adaptation measures that protect human health, ecosystems,
and vulnerable communities. - Protect and Restore Ecosystems: Promote community-led conservation, policy
reform, and green infrastructure investment to safeguard Africa’s biodiversity
and natural heritage. - Integrate Health, Environment, and Climate Governance: Institutionalize a
“One Africa – One Climate – One Health” framework to align policies and actions
across sectors. - Strengthen Science, Research, and Policy Linkages: Establish the Pan-African
Environment, Climate and Health Action Network (PAECHAN) to advance
research, data sharing, and science-to-policy translation. Kenya will host the
inaugural PAECHAN Secretariat for the next two years through coordination
between KEMRI and NEMA. - Promote Equity and Inclusive Partnerships: Mobilize long-term financing,
capacity building, and regional cooperation aligned with the AU Agenda 2063,
Paris Agreement, and Global Biodiversity Framework. - Empower Communities and Youth Leadership: Strengthen grassroots and
youth-led initiatives through the Pan-African Climate Action Baton Journey,
symbolizing unity, leadership, and shared responsibility across the continent.
