Global climate forum lands in Nairobi for first-ever African edition

The conference, organized by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants from around the world, including government leaders, researchers, business executives, urban planners and civil society representatives.

The selection of Nairobi underscores Kenya’s growing influence in advancing climate adaptation, urban resilience and sustainable development, particularly in rapidly expanding cities across the Global South.

GCoM Co-Managing Director Andy Deacon said the conference will serve as a platform for cities and stakeholders to exchange ideas and scale innovative solutions to climate challenges.

“We are proud to bring the Innovate4Cities Conference to Nairobi, centering African leadership and innovation from across the continent,” Deacon said. “The conference is anchored on the priorities of the Global Research and Action Agenda for Cities and Climate Change Science and will feature more than 100 sessions focused on bridging the gap between climate research, policy and implementation.”

The four-day forum will focus on five key themes: Multilevel Governance and Partnerships, Housing and Infrastructure, Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, Justice and Equity, and Finance and Implementation. Discussions will explore how cities can accelerate climate action while promoting resilient infrastructure, sustainable housing and inclusive urban growth.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach emphasized the importance of housing in building resilient communities as Africa continues to experience rapid urbanization.

“As Africa’s cities continue to grow, investing in adequate housing will be critical to building more resilient, inclusive and prosperous communities,” Rossbach said. “The 2026 Innovate4Cities Conference provides an important platform to connect science, policy and practice and accelerate solutions for housing, climate action and sustainable urban development.”

The conference will also spotlight Africa’s emerging role as a hub for climate innovation, showcasing homegrown solutions and community-led approaches to addressing environmental and urban challenges.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja welcomed the decision to host the event in the Kenyan capital, describing it as a significant opportunity for cities to translate climate science into practical policies that improve lives.

“We are honored to welcome the global community to Nairobi for the first-ever Innovate4Cities Conference in Africa,” Sakaja said. “True climate resilience is built from the ground up, and this convening offers an unprecedented opportunity to turn climate science into tangible urban policy.”

Among the key highlights of I4C26 will be high-level plenary sessions featuring mayors and urban experts, workshops on climate financing for local governments, and the AI x City Climate Action Hackathon, which aims to develop technology-driven solutions for urban climate challenges.

The conference will also host the largest in-person expert review of the draft Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. Scientists, policymakers and urban practitioners will collaborate to strengthen the evidence base that will guide future climate and urban development policies worldwide.

As cities increasingly find themselves on the frontlines of climate change, organizers say I4C26 will play a crucial role in strengthening global partnerships, advancing innovation and accelerating action toward sustainable, climate-resilient urban futures.