Just days ago, I found myself among them. From June 21 to 24, I had the privilege of attending Innovate4Cities 2026, a global forum dedicated to accelerating climate action through bold, science-driven and digital solutions. This year's conference marked a historic milestone. After years of being hosted in cities across the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, the forum was held in Africa for the very first time, with Nairobi, Kenya, and specifically the United Nations Habitat, playing host to some of the world's brightest minds.
Walking into the venue each morning felt like stepping into a miniature version of the world. Every hallway echoed with conversations in different languages, but all around the same topic. I was in awe of how policy, science and climate action can intersect, bringing together global experts, government leaders, researchers, practitioners, businesses, civil society, youth and community representatives to learn from one another, connect and brainstorm on solutions needed to mitigate climate change.
For four days, Nairobi became more than Kenya's capital city. It became a global classroom.
What I loved most about the conference was that climate action was never discussed as an abstract concept. Rather, every session and every breakout room returned to one pressing question: How do we protect the world's most vulnerable communities?
The conversations centered on Africa, focusing on communities grappling with devastating floods, prolonged droughts, crop failures and famine. Rather than treating these communities as statistics, speakers challenged participants to develop practical solutions that could improve lives on the ground.
Unlike many conferences where ambitious declarations are made only to gather dust afterwards, Innovate4Cities felt different. It was refreshingly human. Everyone had a voice.
Students confidently questioned seasoned experts. Community representatives challenged policymakers. Young people were not merely invited to attend; they were encouraged to contribute. Even those without big titles or decades of experience felt seen, heard and valued.
As I listened to stories from around the world, I found myself reflecting on how often we blame the government for every problem society faces. While the government certainly plays a crucial role, I discovered another side of the story. Across the globe are ordinary people who simply decided to act. Some have started organisations from scratch. Others have launched community initiatives with little funding but enormous determination. Some travel thousands of kilometres simply to share knowledge that might help another community overcome its challenges.
Some of these changemakers are not even Africans. Growing up, many of us have inherited stereotypes about people from the West, saying that they are detached from Africa's realities Yet throughout the conference, I saw individuals whose passion for improving the lives of disadvantaged African communities was genuine and inspiring. That realisation challenged my own assumptions.
The conference also became a classroom for innovation. I learned about climate-resilient housing designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, while remaining environmentally sustainable. Cities from different parts of the world showcased projects ranging from smart infrastructure and renewable energy systems to urban planning strategies that put people and the planet first.
One initiative particularly captured my attention. A women-led transport company from Colombia operates electric buses driven entirely by women. The idea goes far beyond reducing carbon emissions. The electric buses contribute to cleaner cities by eliminating harmful exhaust emissions, while the women-only workforce creates opportunities in a transport industry traditionally dominated by men.
Perhaps the most exciting part of the conference was watching my fellow young generation in action. During an AI-powered hackathon, young participants formed multidisciplinary teams to develop artificial intelligence solutions addressing three major challenges: Climate action in informal settlements, sustainable transport and combating climate misinformation and disinformation. The room buzzed with energy, with each team hoping they would emerge as the winners.
As the conference drew to a close, I realised I was leaving with much more than pages of notes, photographs and memories. I was leaving with hope.
Hope that the world's greatest challenges are not impossible to solve.
They simply require people willing to collaborate, innovate and act.
Last but not least, Innovate4Cities reminded me that we are, indeed, a global village.
