“Why Health Must Be at the Center of Climate Negotiations", Interview with Amref’s Desta Lakew

“ Many fail to realize that health is the human face of climate. Until we prioritize health as a key working group within UNFCCC and climate conversation, we will continue to do a disservice to those who are most vulnerable in Africa, ” says Desta Lakew, Strategic Partnership Lead at Amref Health Africa .

Desta Lakew is a Strategic Partnership Lead at Amref Health Africa. She currently serves as the Group Director for Partnerships & External Affairs at Amref Health Africa’s headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. In this role, she has been engaged in securing high-level strategic global partnerships for Amref Health Africa where she has served on the Executive and Senior Management teams of Amref since 2014. Desta leads global thought leadership and external engagements and was instrumental in the establishment and leadership of the bi-annual Africa Health Agenda International Conference. In addition, she has led the global south dialogue knowledge exchange platform on Universal Health Coverage in Africa and Asia and launched various campaigns including the Africa CoVID-19 Vaccine Equity Campaign and Communities at the Heart of UHC global advocacy campaign.

Born in Ethiopia, Desta holds a Master of Public Health from Hunter College and a bachelor’s degree from City College, both part of the State University of New York system. Desta has served on several global committees including The Future of Global Health Initiatives, Lusaka Agenda, FP10, Global Patient Think Tank, and the Global Health Equity Group. She was recently part of Amref Health Africa’s delegation at the second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2)

The ACS2 took place in Addis Ababa on 8–10 September 2025, convening leaders, negotiators, and partners to shape Africa’s climate future. The summit emphasized climate finance, renewable energy, adaptation, and health resilience, resulting in a declaration that called for dedicated funding mechanisms, stronger integration of health into climate strategies, and cross-sectoral partnerships. For Amref Health Africa, it was a pivotal moment to elevate one message: there is no climate resilience without health resilience.

Following the Summit, Desta engaged in an interview with Shega to highlight ACS2 and Amref’s evolving role in this critical landscape.

Q: You were part of Amref Health Africa’s delegation at the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2) that was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last week – 8-10 September 2025. Can you briefly share what Amref’s engagement looked like and what you aimed to achieve at the Summit?

At the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), our primary goal was to champion health as a fundamental pillar of climate action. Many fail to realize that health is the human face of climate. Until we prioritize health as a key working group within UNFCCC and climate conversation, we will continue to do a disservice to those who are most vulnerable in Africa. We aimed to ensure that health emerged as a key outcome of the summit. This year, we saw that health has been included in the Declaration – that is a tremendous feat for those of us who have been advocating for health to be prioritized in the climate discussions.

Our engagement was dynamic and impactful. We participated in pre-summit sessions during the 13th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-13), as well as various partner and our own sessions. The highlight was the launch of the groundbreaking Climate Change and Health Negotiators’ Curriculum which will be offered at our Amref International University. This first-of-its-kind curriculum is set to revolutionize Africa’s climate diplomacy by equipping negotiators with the expertise, evidence, and advocacy skills needed to prioritize health in climate negotiations, recognizing it as the human face of climate change.

Q: Amref hosted and participated in several high-level side events. Which moments or discussions stood out most to you, and why?

The launch of the Climate Change and Health Negotiators’ Curriculum was a standout event at ACS2. Capacity building is crucial in the climate and health agenda, and addressing the knowledge gap on their nexus is vital. While various stakeholders have made efforts in this area, our focus is on empowering the African Group of Negotiators in the UNFCCC negotiations. By equipping them with the technical expertise, evidence, and advocacy skills needed, we aim to ensure that health is no longer sidelined in climate negotiations.

The moments where I was most excited to see was the role of strategic partnerships which were key to advancing this goal because partnerships are not peripheral when leading such a high-stake engagement. They are catalytic. In a rapidly evolving global health landscape our partnerships are the engine that shift agendas from rhetoric to results. In years to come, we will look back on these important conversations and realize how valuable strategic and multi-sectoral partnerships have been to advance human interest.

Q: The message “no climate resilience without health resilience” was central to Amref’s presence. How was this message received by other stakeholders and partners at the Summit?

We have always stated that health is the human face of climate change. The science is there and the realities in our communities are there for all to see. The reality is that communities are the true front line of the climate crisis, as the health impacts of climate change are felt first in villages, towns, and cities. They are the first responders to shocks, witnessing floods, droughts, and outbreaks before national systems react.

Resilience demands co-creation with communities at every stage, from surveillance and data generation to response. Leadership and coordinated action are critical to scaling an inclusive, African-led climate and health ecosystem. Climate resilience cannot be achieved from the top down. It must be built with, and through communities, backed by integrated data systems, strong governance, and sustained investment.

Thus, for Africa to build true resilience, negotiators, governments, civil society, and scientists must work together to ensure health is firmly embedded in the UNFCCC processes and agendas.

Q: Can you tell us more about the launch of the Climate Change & Health Negotiators’ Curriculum? How do you envision it being used across the continent?

The aim of the Climate Change & Health Negotiators’ Curriculum is to bridge the technical expertise, evidence, and advocacy skills gap for negotiators and other interested groups on the continent (government ministries, civil society, policy makers, etc). This curriculum is being delivered through the Amref International University.

Now that the Curriculum has been launched, the next step is to undertake a physical master class of selected negotiators to kick start the training process and then rolling it out to other interested groups (governments and others)

We also envisage the curriculum to be integrated into long-term capacity-building platforms across the continent.

Q: Amref advocated for unlocking climate financing for health across Africa. From your experience at the Summit, what are the biggest barriers and opportunities in accessing such financing, both across the continent and specifically in Ethiopia?

The biggest barrier is lack of capacity to develop bankable proposals on climate financing. While this is a challenge across the board, it is more pronounced in the health sector as it has not been exposed to climate discourse and processes.

In terms of opportunities, we need to work with governments in building technical capacity in support of climate and health financing. As Amref, we remain committed to this cause and continue advocacy for health to be included in the UNFCCC negotiations and considered for support, as it is the true face of the climate crisis.

I was quite impressed with the ongoing work to solarize health facilities in Ethiopia which is an extraordinary mitigation effort. This collaboration between the energy and health sector is a win-win to unlock financing that has a health co-benefit. It demonstrates how important it is for nations to prioritize cross-sectoral collaboration.

Q: Health system integration into climate strategies is gaining momentum. In your view, how can this integration be effectively achieved at a continental level, and what unique steps can Ethiopia take to lead by example?

Forging cross-sectoral collaborations and partnerships is a key element in integrating health in climate strategies. Equally important is the cross-ministerial collaboration within governments. In our work over the years, we have witnessed how government Ministries operate in silos. Ethiopia’s efforts to solarize health facilities demonstrate how cross-sectoral collaboration can be a mechanism to integrate health across all sectors in terms of climate action.

Q: What are the next steps for Amref following the Summit? Are there any partnerships or initiatives set in motion as a result of ACS2?

The recognition of health in the ACS2 Declaration is a game changer. We are thrilled that our leaders have committed to advancing climate-resilient and adaptive health systems on the continent. The summit declaration reaffirms their dedication to Africa-led climate solutions that prioritize human health, environmental sustainability, and equitable development, guided by the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Our leaders acknowledged the urgent need to address the intertwined crises of climate change and public health, calling for dedicated financial mechanisms for climate-related health and resilient African health systems. They highlighted the growing threats of heatwaves and water scarcity, emphasizing the need for early-warning systems linked to health services.

For Amref, this is the clear message we sought. We plan to host virtual discussions to unpack ACS2 and build broader understanding of the importance of including health in the global climate discourse. With our key partners, we will share this message at major convenings like UNGA80 and COP30, ensuring Africa’s voice resonates globally. This aligns perfectly with the health adaptation message in the Belem Climate and Health Action Plan, supporting Africa’s aspirations for equitable, sustainable, and climate-smart healthcare.

Q: Finally, what would you say to young African professionals or organizations who want to be part of the climate-health movement?

I would tell young African professionals that this is the biggest challenge of our lifetime. The impact of climate on health must be foremost in their mind. They must further the discourse on the impact of climate on the health of communities. They must be vocal and bring numbers to the table. There are many ways to be involved. Advancing climate and health resilience in Africa requires a multi-pronged approach that integrates capacity building, research, and partnerships. Strengthening the competencies of communities and health workers is essential to improve understanding and response at the climate–health nexus. Equally important is the generation, documentation, and dissemination of evidence, tools, and best practices that can guide effective action. To ensure sustainability and impact, forging cross-sectoral partnerships is vital, enabling joint co-creation, knowledge exchange, and co-implementation of interventions that address the interconnected challenges of climate change and health.