Nairobi, Kenya
African leaders, scientists, youth activists and faith-based organizations have issued an urgent call for a significant increase in climate finance to support locally led adaptation and resilience-building across the continent.
The appeal, which was made at the climate resilience conference in Nairobi, comes amid mounting concern that communities on the frontlines of climate change – such as in Africa- continue to be side-lined by conventional financing models and global inaction.
The conference was titled ‘Vatican African Conference on Climate Resilience.’
It was convened under the auspices of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (PAS), Pontifical Academies of Sciences Social Sciences (PASS), in partnership with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) as well as the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC)
“We have all witnessed the devastating effects of climate change; from prolonged droughts to catastrophic floods that are disrupting livelihoods and ecosystems in Africa,” said the CIFOR-ICRAF Executive Dr Éliane Ubalijoro, adding the time to act is now.
Direct access to finance
During the conference, participants stressed that direct access to finance for cities and local governments is essential, alongside the development of innovative financial instruments tailored to Africa’s unique needs.
They stated that local authorities must be empowered, not only with funding, but also with decision-making authority and technical capacity, to design and implement tailored adaptation strategies that respond to the lived realities of their people
“Weak institutional coordination, limited access to financial resources, and inadequate technical capacity hinder effective climate change adaptation and resilience-building efforts,” said Dr Wilber Ottichilo, Governor of Vihiga County and Chair of the Environment, Forestry and Climate Change Committee of the Council of Governors in Kenya.
Experts also reaffirmed that climate action must be guided by strong science, inclusive policy dialogue, and meaningful community engagement. Africa’s academies of science, Indigenous knowledge holders, faith-based groups, and civil society organizations were recognized for the important roles they play in ensuring solutions are rooted in local realities.
“Africa can achieve climate resilience when action-oriented alliances of local governments, civil society, science, farming communities and business are formed, and supported by increased volume and quality of adaptation finance,” noted Dr Joachim von Braun, President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.
On her part, Dr Jacqueline Kado, the Executive Director of the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) added, “Africa’s resilience journey must be science-informed, locally led, justice-grounded, youth-driven and community-rooted.”
Speakers emphasized that integrated land use planning, climate-smart agriculture and water harvesting are powerful drivers of change—especially when grounded in African research and local innovation.
Nature-based solutions such as forest conservation, tree planting, reforestation and eco-friendly infrastructure were also highlighted as cost-effective approaches that align with both scientific evidence and the cultural and spiritual values of African communities.
Local government representatives at the conference committed to developing city- and county- or province-specific resilience blueprints, in collaboration with financial institutions. These blueprints will include clear implementation pathways.
On disaster preparedness, participants called for improved early warning systems and recovery mechanisms, including insurance for vulnerable populations.
Climate-induced migration, they warned, must be addressed holistically, recognising its human rights dimensions and structural drivers.
A cornerstone of the discussions was the Mitigation, Adaptation, and Societal Transformation (MAST) framework, which the conference adopted as a foundational pillar for advancing climate resilience in Africa.
Speakers emphasized that climate change mitigation must align with justice and development rights, while adaptation must be prioritized given the continent’s acute exposure to climate risks.
They noted that societal transformation must drive institutional, behavioural and structural shifts toward sustainability and equity.
The Youth MAST Dialogues, on the other hand, presented bold visions for change and called for genuine intergenerational collaboration.
Faith-based institutions and civil society were also recognized for their moral leadership and grassroots reach. Inspired by Pope Francis’ 2024 call for a Universal Protocol of Resilience, delegates echoed the need for ethical urgency, solidarity and planetary stewardship.
“Climate change is not an isolated environmental issue. It is an existential, spiritual and geopolitical challenge that calls for moral clarity and united global action,” said Archbishop Philip Anyolo, the Archbishop of Nairobi and head of the Catholic Church in Kenya.
“The Earth is a garden meant to be tended with care. We must move from stewards of creation to carers of creation. What we received with beauty and life, we must not pass on as wilderness,” said His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, the Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS).
The Nairobi gathering also committed to launching structured, science-informed policy dialogues to track resilience progress, foster peer learning and prepare regional contributions for COP30 in Brazil and the Final Vatican Resilience Summit in 2027.