​Nairobi, Kenya (21 May 2026) — Following the devastating March floods that displaced over 35,000 people across Kenya and exposed the vulnerability of urban infrastructure, Nairobi is stepping onto the global stage to spearhead the fight for climate-resilient cities.

​From 21-24 June 2026, the capital city will host the 2026 Innovate4Cities Conference (I4C26), marking the historic first time this premier global convening is held on African soil. More than 1,000 global leaders spanning government, academia, business, and civil society will gather in person at the heart of the continent to bridge critical gaps between climate research and real-world urban implementation.

​Co-curated by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), the choice of Nairobi as host underscores the city’s pivotal role in pioneering equitable, frontline climate adaptation for rapidly urbanizing centers worldwide.

​“We are honored to welcome the global community to Nairobi for the first-ever Innovate4Cities Conference in Africa,” said Sakaja Johnson, Governor of Nairobi, Kenya. “True climate resilience is built from the ground up, and this convening offers an unprecedented opportunity to turn climate science into tangible urban policy. Nairobi is proud to stand at the center of this movement, championing equitable, innovative, and scalable solutions for cities worldwide.”

​Elevating African Leadership and Localized Solutions
​The program is uniquely structured around five core thematic tracks aimed at closing global knowledge gaps while elevating regional, Indigenous, and community-led African perspectives. By centering Nairobi, the conference highlights how the Global South is shifting from a region of climate vulnerability to a hub of climate innovation.

​“We are proud to bring the Innovate4Cities Conference to Nairobi, centering African leadership and innovation from across the continent,” said Andy Deacon, Co-Managing Director of GCoM. “Learning from local leaders on the frontlines of our most pressing urban challenges allows us to cross-pollinate ideas globally, cultivating scalable solutions that drive measurable impact for cities.”

​Bridging the Gap; Science, Policy, and Practice
​Anchored in the priorities of the Global Research and Action Agenda for Cities and Climate Change Science (GRAA), I4C26 will feature more than 100 high-impact sessions. The gathering is designed to facilitate the practical “translation” of cutting-edge research into actionable urban policy, featuring:

• ​High-level plenaries and strategic exchanges led by global mayors and urban experts.
• ​The AI x City Climate Action Hackathon, driving next-generation tech solutions for urban monitoring.
• The Expert Review of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities (SRCities).
• ​Interactive workshops focused on securing climate finance for local governments.

“The World Urban Forum taking place in Baku this week is reinforcing an important message: housing plays a defining role in how the climate crisis is experienced and addressed in our cities,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. “As climate impacts reshape communities around the world, we need solutions that connect global knowledge with local realities. Innovate4Cities creates an opportunity to bring researchers, communities and local leaders together to help translate ideas into action and support cities in building a more resilient and inclusive future.”

​With Nairobi leading the charge, I4C26 will serve as a definitive turning point, demonstrating how local governments can harness science and community insight to safeguard infrastructure, protect vulnerable populations, and build sustainable futures.

##

About the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM)
GCoM is the largest global alliance for city climate leadership, uniting a global coalition of over 14,000 cities and local governments and 100+ supporting partners. The cities and partners of GCoM share a long-term vision of supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and towards a resilient and low-emission society. GCoM serves cities and local governments by mobilizing and supporting ambitious, measurable, planned climate and energy action in their communities by working with city/regional networks, national governments, and other partners to achieve our vision. Led today by UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions Michael R. Bloomberg and European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, the coalition comprises cities across 6 continents and 150 countries, representing over 1 billion people or more than 13 percent of the global population.

About UN-Habitat
UN-Habitat is the United Nations entity responsible for sustainable urbanization. It has programmes in over 90 countries that support policymakers and communities to create socially and environmentally sustainable cities and towns. UN-Habitat promotes transformative change in cities through knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance, and collaborative action. To know more, visit www.unhabitat.org or follow on X @UNHABITAT.