Africa Adopts Landmark Declaration on Health, Environment and Climate Action (HECA)

By Stella Njung’e

As the Pan-African Conference on Environment, Climate Change, and Health came to a close in Nairobi, delegates drawn from across the continent adopted a landmark declaration reaffirming Africa’s shared resolve to protect human health, conserve the environment, and build climate-resilient systems across the continent.

In the Nairobi Declaration on Health, Environment and Climate Action (HECA) adopted on Thursday, 23rd, October 2025, participants recognized 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.

The declaration was officially launched by the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Deborah Mulongo, who said the move reinforces Kenya’s commitment to advancing integrated climate and health governance across Africa.

“This declaration reinforces Kenya’s commitment to advancing integrated climate and health governance across Africa,” said Dr. Mulongo. “Through collaborative science, policy, and community action, we can transform our adaptation agenda into lasting resilience and sustainable prosperity for all. From Nairobi, we also renew Africa’s leadership in shaping a healthy, climate-resilient future, a call for every nation to act decisively, invest in nature, and strengthen partnerships that protect both people and planet,” she explained.

On his part, the Institutes Board Chair, Dr. Abdullahi Ali who signed the declaration on behalf of the Institute, reaffirmed Africa’s scientific leadership and commitment to action.

“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,” he stated.

Speaking at the conference, Ag. Director General, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Prof. Elijah Songok, lauded the adoption of the declaration as a critical step in strengthening Africa’s science policy interface for health and climate.

“At KEMRI, we stand ready to lead and collaborate in advancing the research, data, and innovation that will drive Africa’s adaptation agenda. The Nairobi Declaration is not just a commitment, it is a call to action to use science to secure a healthier, more resilient future for our continent,” said Prof. Songok.

The declaration itself sends a powerful message, “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.”

HECA sets out an ambitious framework to guide Africa’s collective response to the growing threat of climate change and its impact on human health and ecosystems.

Among its key commitments, the Declaration urges African nations and their partners to accelerate adaptation and resilience efforts by scaling up local and national climate actions that safeguard human health, ecosystems, and vulnerable populations. It calls for urgent investment in measures that help communities withstand the effects of droughts, floods, and other climate-related challenges.

It also emphasizes the need to protect and restore ecosystems through community-led conservation, stronger policy reforms, and investment in green infrastructure to preserve Africa’s biodiversity and natural heritage.

To ensure coordinated action, the Declaration proposes the integration of health, environment, and climate governance under a unified “One Africa – One Climate – One Health” framework, aligning policies and initiatives across sectors.

Recognizing the importance of science and evidence-based decision-making, the Declaration calls for the establishment of the Pan-African Environment, Climate and Health Action Network (PAECHAN) to strengthen research collaboration, data sharing, and science to-policy translation. Kenya will host the inaugural PAECHAN Secretariat for the next two years through joint coordination between KEMRI and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

The Declaration further underscores the need to promote equity and inclusive partnerships, mobilizing long-term f financing, capacity building, and regional cooperation in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Paris Agreement, and the Global Biodiversity Framework.

In addition, it highlights the importance of empowering communities and youth leadership by supporting grassroots and youth-driven climate initiatives, including the Pan-African Climate Action Baton Journey, a symbolic movement promoting unity, leadership, and shared responsibility across the continent.

The Declaration also calls upon the WHO/AFRO to advocate for adoption of the declaration among all African Ministers of Health. Africa CDC to FastTrack operationalization of HECA platform through AU mechanisms. Development partners to bring the call to action to their respective global and regional caucuses.

In recognition of Kenya’s leadership in hosting the inaugural HECA Conference and championing the climate health agenda, the Declaration requests H.E. Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and current Chair of the African Heads of State Committee on Climate Change, to champion the establishment of national HECA chapters across AU Member States.

From Nairobi, delegates pledged to advance the Pan African Living Declaration on Health, Environment, and Climate Action, symbolized by the HECA Baton, a living emblem of continuity, innovation, and collective resilience.

The declaration was issued by the Organizing Committee, Pan-African Conference on Environment, Climate Change and Health and signed by representatives from the Ministries of Health and Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, KEMRI, NEMA, AMREF Health Africa, Africa Research Impact Network (ARIN), Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek (TNO, Netherlands),  Climate and Health Africa Network for Collaboration and Engagement (CHANCE Network), Africa LEEPS (Learning together to advance Evidence and Equity in Policymaking to achieve the SDGs), Wellcome Trust among other humanitarian groups.