The Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) is a crucial platform for addressing the continent’s most pressing health challenges, particularly as climate change intensifies its impacts on vulnerable populations. Convened biennially, AHAIC brings together policymakers, health-development experts, researchers, global leaders and community representatives from across Africa and beyond to shape solutions that are tailored to the continent’s unique needs.

In Africa, where communities bear the brunt of climate change despite contributing the least to global carbon emissions, the consequences are severe and multifaceted. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and an increase in natural disasters—such as cyclones, severe storms, and droughts—are creating new health challenges. These environmental shifts exacerbate the spread of infectious diseases, heighten food insecurity, limit access to clean water and sanitation, and increase the risk of waterborne illnesses, heat-related conditions, and mental health issues. Such impacts strain already fragile health systems, disrupt essential health services, and impair infrastructure, making it difficult to respond effectively to health emergencies.

The urgency of convening at AHAIC 2025 cannot be overstated. With ongoing outbreaks of Mpox and the recent Marburg virus resurgence, Africa faces a critical moment in its health trajectory. These crises highlight the need for a swift and coordinated response, making AHAIC the best platform for stakeholders to come together, share insights, and forge strategies that address these immediate threats while building long-term resilience.

AHAIC offers a space for collaborative, multisectoral approaches, recognizing that building resilient health systems is vital to Africa’s future. As climate change and other socio-ecological dynamics reshape the health landscape, AHAIC serves as the ideal platform for convening diverse stakeholders to forge sustainable solutions. It provides a forum for evidence-based discussions, fostering partnerships that strengthen health systems and ensure they can withstand the compounded effects of health crises.

By participating in AHAIC, stakeholders gain access to a wealth of knowledge, innovative strategies, and a network of partners committed to advancing Africa’s health agenda. This conference is where Africa takes the lead in charting a path forward, empowering its people to build a more equitable and sustainable health future on the continent.