Climate Health African Network for Collaboration and Engagement

As the Pan-African conference on Environment, Climate change and health came to an end yesterday, I am encouraged by the intentional and thoughtful engagements and collaborations that unfolded over the past few days. At both the #AfricaLEEPS booth and the Africa Research and Impact Network (ARIN) booth, I had the privilege of interacting with #policymakers, #researchers, #youthinnovators, and civil society actors from across the continent, all united by a shared vision of advancing evidence-informed, inclusive, and climate-resilient development in #Africa. These conversations reinforced the importance of ensuring that local voices, data, and innovations drive continental action at the intersection of environment, climate change, and health. I was especially encouraged by the enthusiasm among participants to strengthen partnerships that translate dialogue into tangible outcomes on the ground. The conference’s closing, presided over by #Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Hon.  Dr. Deborah Barasa, emphasized the urgency of #cross-sector collaboration, #policycoherence, and knowledge sharing to secure a sustainable and healthy future for Africa. #ClimateChange #Environment #Health #ECHAfrica25 #LEEPS #EvidenceInformedPolicy #ClimateResilience #AfricaLeadership #ScienceToPolicy Wanjiru .A.S. IrunguJerry Ariel MandelaMaria Wangui NailanteiHumphrey Agevi, PhD,Isaiah MaketBelinda KorirIsmaila Salawu Africa Research and Impact Network. (ARIN) African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)

From Policy to Action: Reflections from the Pan-African Environment, Climate Change, and Health Conference (Nairobi, 2025) On the final day of the conference, we began our morning at St. Mary’s Mission Hospital in Nairobi by putting policy into action-planting trees. I planted both a fruit tree and an indigenous tree. It was a simple yet powerful reminder that everyone can contribute in small but meaningful ways to improving our environment. Inspired by this, I plan to plant trees around my home as part of my personal commitment to climate action. Later, we visited Kibra informal settlement/slum-often described as one of Nairobi’s most vulnerable communities. What I witnessed challenged that label. The community-led climate adaptation initiatives we saw were deeply rooted, innovative, and resilient. These communities are not just surviving; they are leading the way in local climate solutions. What they need are stronger partnerships and government support to amplify their impact. I leave Nairobi with renewed conviction that climate resilience begins with community agency. The lessons from Kibra will stay with me as I continue to work on climate and health resilience back home. #ECHAfrics25 #ClimateHealthAfrica #SciencePolicyAction #ARINetwork #EnvironmentalHealth #HealthSystemsResilience #CommunityEngagement #ClimateChange #PanAfricanConference #PublicHealth

A powerful close to #ECHAfrica25, presided over by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Dr. Deborah Barasa . 🇰🇪 Her closing remarks reaffirmed the #urgency of cross-sector #collaboration, policy coherence and evidence-based action to safeguard #Africa’s health and environment in the face of climate change. As a co-convener, Africa Research and Impact Network. (ARIN), we are proud to have worked alongside key regional and global partners to foster #meaningful #dialogue and drive #evidence-informed solutions that strengthen the intersection of environment, climate change, and health. #ECHAfrica25 showcased #Africa’s leadership and growing capacity to bridge science, policy and practice for a healthier, climate-resilient continent. We remain committed to sustaining this momentum beyond the conference turning #dialogue into action that transforms lives and ecosystems across Africa. #ClimateAction #AfricaLeadership #Sustainability #ClimateResilience #PartnershipsForImpact Climate Health African Network for Collaboration and Engagement Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Amref Health Africa Wanjiru .A.S. Irungu Edna Kowenje Maria Wangui Nailantei Africa CDC

The curtain came down on the Pan-African Conference on Environment, Climate Change and Health, presided over by the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Mulongo. We take pride in the active participation of our scientists in shaping critical conversations at the intersection of health and climate—emphasizing the need for multi-sectoral collaboration and innovation to build climate-resilient health systems. As a co-convener, KEMRI’s contribution throughout the conference underscores our commitment to advancing healthier communities through research-driven solutions, partnerships, and robust surveillance systems that help address emerging health and environmental challenges. Together, we continue to work towards a climate-resilient and healthier Africa. 🌍 #ECHAfrica25 #Collaboration

Day 2 Highlights | #ECHAfrica25 Day 2 at the Africa Environment Climate Change and Health Conference (#ECHAfrica25) was a powerhouse of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, driving forward the continent’s vision for climate-resilient and sustainable health systems. The morning opened with energizing International Development Research Centre (IDRC) breakfast sessions on unlocking climate finance for health and #LEEPS advancing evidence-informed policymaking for the SDGs. Plenary 1, moderated by Felix Obi, brought together panelists from Senegal, Botswana, Uganda, and Kenya to discuss how to embed health at the core of national climate adaptation plans. Plenary 2 explored the implementation challenges and opportunities of building sustainable, climate-resilient health systems, featuring experts from Kenya, Ghana, and the African Coalition of Communities Responsive to Climate Change. The Digital Poster Session showcased inspiring African innovations,from Ethiopia to South Africa, Nigeria to Rwanda, with flash talks on climate and infectious diseases, heat risk management, valuing nature for wellbeing, and transdisciplinary health solutions. Afternoon parallel sessions dived into heat risk management, healthy sustainable cities, and the blue economy for health, moderated by experts from the Africa Research and Impact Network, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), National Environment Management Authority - KE (NEMA) , and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). The day concluded with Science–Policy Dialogues, spotlighting infectious disease control, heat health action planning (with insights from Africa, and cross-sector collaboration linking climate, health, and water security. Throughout the day, one message resonated clearly: Africa’s sustainable health future depends on integrated, evidence-informed action that bridges science, policy, and community innovation. #ECHAfrica25