As the global climate crisis continues to escalate, Kenya has taken a firm stance by urging the development of localised, science-based climate adaptation strategies. This call to action was made during the Africa Climate Resilience Summit held at the World Agroforestry Centre in Nairobi from June 30 to July 1, 2025. The summit brought together a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including policymakers, scientists, community leaders, faith-based organisations, and international institutions, all with the common goal of fortifying Africa’s resilience to climate change.
The African Climate Vulnerability
In his keynote address, Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo, who also serves as the Chair of Kenya’s Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change Committee, underscored Africa’s unique vulnerability to climate change. “Africa is at the forefront of climate vulnerability,” he declared. “We need integrated, science-based solutions and innovative financing mechanisms to ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind.”
Governor Ottichilo cited projections from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), warning that by 2050, as much as half of Africa’s population could face severe food insecurity due to the intensifying impacts of climate change. This alarming forecast served as a rallying cry for urgent, localized action.
Summit Background and Objectives
The Africa Climate Resilience Summit is part of a larger movement influenced by the Vatican’s global climate resilience campaign, inspired by the vision of the late Pope Francis. The campaign seeks to translate both moral and scientific imperatives into tangible regional actions. Hosted under the auspices of CIFOR-ICRAF (the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry), the summit aimed to catalyze new climate resilience strategies that are not only effective but equitable.
Marcelo Suárez-Orozco, Chancellor and a lead figure in the Vatican’s climate initiatives, emphasized the necessity of cross-border collaboration. “Climate change knows no borders,” he said. “We must unite across continents to build resilience and protect vulnerable populations.” He reiterated that the crisis is a global one, affecting both developed and developing nations alike, and requires a concerted, cooperative effort.
