ICE Institute at ARA-TLS Africa Knowledge Synthesis Symposium in Nairobi 2025
In March 10–12, 2025 | Nairobi, Kenya, The Institute of Climate and Environment (ICE) at SIMAD University was honoured to participate in the Africa Knowledge Synthesis Symposium 2025, convened by the Adaptation Research Alliance (ARA) and hosted in partnership with the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) in Nairobi. This important gathering brought together over 30 organizations from across the continent to foster a shared understanding of climate adaptation challenges and to co-create actionable, locally rooted solutions.
Over three dynamic days, the symposium explored three priority themes: Climate Change and Health, Climate Change and Human Settlements, and Water and Food Systems Resilience. Each session facilitated interdisciplinary learning journeys, drawing from community knowledge, scientific research, and policy perspectives to build pathways for resilient development across Africa.
Representing ICE, Ustaad Abdikafi Hassan Abdi presented a timely and insightful research study titled: “Political Instability, Malnutrition, Human Capital, and Environmental Degradation as Determinants of Life Expectancy: A Multidimensional Analysis of 84 Developing Countries.” This study emphasized the profound interconnection between environmental degradation, governance quality, and life expectancy, advocating for integrated approaches that center health, education, and environmental policies as drivers of long-term development.
Key reflections from the symposium include the growing call for locally led adaptation, the urgency of bridging the gap between research and policy, and the transformative potential of technological innovation, particularly in leveraging data, AI, and participatory early warning systems. Importantly, the conversations emphasized the inclusion of youth voices and Indigenous knowledge as core components of Africa’s adaptation journey.
As ICE, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing climate adaptation through research, policy engagement, and collaboration. We remain dedicated to amplifying Somali perspectives, uplifting youth leadership, and building partnerships that empower communities to lead the change they seek.
