UN office, Nairobi/HANDOUT
Nairobi will this week become the global centre of climate action and sustainable urban development as it hosts the 2026 Innovate4Cities Conference (I4C26), the first time the prestigious forum is being held in Africa.
The conference, jointly organised by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), will run from 21 to 24 June and is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants from around the world, including mayors, policymakers, researchers, business leaders and civil society representatives.
The selection of Nairobi as the host city underscores Kenya's growing influence in global climate governance and urban resilience efforts, particularly as African cities grapple with the challenges of rapid urbanisation and climate change.
GCoM Co-Managing Director Andy Deacon said the conference will spotlight African leadership and innovation while providing a platform for cities to share practical solutions to climate challenges.
"We are proud to bring the Innovate4Cities Conference to Nairobi, centring African leadership and innovation from across the continent," said Deacon. "The conference will feature more than 100 sessions focused on bridging the gap between climate research, policy and implementation."
Discussions will revolve around five key themes: multilevel governance and partnerships, housing and infrastructure, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, justice and equity, and climate finance and implementation. Organisers say the sessions will explore how cities can accelerate climate action while promoting inclusive growth, resilient infrastructure and sustainable development.
UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach emphasised the importance of investing in adequate housing as African cities continue to expand.
"As Africa's cities continue to grow, investing in adequate housing will be critical to building more resilient, inclusive and prosperous communities," she said. "The conference provides an important platform to connect science, policy and practice and accelerate solutions for housing, climate action and sustainable urban development."
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja welcomed delegates to the Kenyan capital, describing the gathering as a unique opportunity to transform climate science into practical policies that improve lives.
"We are honoured to welcome the global community to Nairobi for the first-ever Innovate4Cities Conference in Africa," said Governor Sakaja. "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 conference highlights 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 will showcase technology-driven solutions to urban climate challenges.
A major milestone of the event will be the largest in-person expert review of the draft Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. The review will bring together scientists and urban practitioners from across the globe to strengthen the evidence base that will inform future climate and urban policy decisions.
Organisers say the conference will help strengthen international collaboration and accelerate efforts to build sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient cities, while positioning Africa as a key driver of global climate innovation.
