By Eddah Waithaka
Kenya will convene a first-of-its-kind Pan-African conference next week, uniting scientists, policymakers, and communities to tackle the interconnected crises of environmental degradation, climate change, and public health.
Spearheading the event are the Kenyan Ministries of Health and Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, who are joining forces with a powerful roster of partners. This coalition unites the research networks of CHANCE and ARIN, the regulatory power of NEMA, the medical expertise of KEMRI and Amref Health Africa, the continental public health authority of Africa CDC, and the strategic funding of Wellcome Trust and other global donors.
The “One African Environment, Health, Environment, Climate Change, and Health Conference” will run from October 21st to 24th, 2025, at the Emara Ole Sereni venue in Nairobi.
The event breaks down traditional silos by bringing together four major conferences under one banner, forging a powerful partnership between the health and environmental sectors.
“This is a great and unique moment for us in Kenya and Africa,” said Dr. Charles Lange, acting director for environmental services at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and conference co-chair.
“Given the interconnectedness of these three issues, we can only best address them if we work together.”
The conference will feature more than 60 keynote speakers and over 600 delegates from Africa, the Americas, Latin America, and Asia. Organizers have also lined up more than 14 exhibitors to showcase real-world climate and health innovations.
“We are expecting a lot of panelists, top-notch experts on environment, climate change, and health,” Dr. Lange said. “We are also going to talk on topical issues that affect our society and economy.”
Health officials emphasized the critical link between a warming planet and public well-being.
Lolem Lokolile Bosco, Assistant Deputy Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, stated that climate change now poses one of the biggest threats to Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.
“The impacts and the effects of climate change is now one of the biggest threats to our health,” Bosco said.
He highlighted the conference as a key moment to advance a “Health in All Policies” approach, requiring sectors like environment, transport, and housing to integrate health considerations into their planning.
The conference will produce concrete outcomes, including the launch of the “Nairobi Living Declaration.”
Organizers will also hand over the “Nairobi Climate Action Torch” to the Kenyan Cabinet Secretaries for Health and Environment, symbolizing the handover to the next regional host and ensuring the partnership’s continuity.
A key focus will be bridging the gap between research and action. The Africa Research and Impact Network, a convener of the event, is helping to steer a science-to-policy agenda.
“We’ve lined up solution-based approaches,” said Carol Liambi, representing the Climate and Health Africa Network (CHANCE).
“This is the space you’ve been wanting to come into if you want to learn, share, network, or find collaborative partners.” The event will extend beyond the conference hall.
On the final day, participants will engage in community visits across Nairobi to witness practical, grassroots interventions addressing environmental and health challenges.
The conference aims to amplify a unified African voice ahead of global climate talks (COP30), building on partnerships rather than multilateral mandates.
“Kenya is going to set an example to other African countries,” Liambi added. “We need to stop subdividing ourselves and bring all these people together to work together and have health at the heart of it.”
Organizers encourage the public, researchers, and policymakers to register and participate in the landmark event.
