5th African Symposium on Climate Change Adaptation

While significant research exists on climate adaptation globally, there remains a critical gap in documented evidence, case studies, and practical initiatives specifically tailored to the African context. 

Adaptation strategies that succeed in one region cannot simply betransplanted to another; they require local knowledge, community engagement, and regionally appropriate technologies. Furthermore, the voices of African researchers, practitioners, and policymakers need stronger representation in the global climate discourse.

This symposium addresses these gaps by creating a dedicated platform for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collaborative problem-solving focused on Africa's unique adaptation challenges and opportunities.
 

1. Knowledge dissemination – To present and discuss cutting-edge research on climate change adaptation policies, technologies, and methodological approaches relevant to African contexts.
2. Practical implementation – To showcase how adaptation principles can be implemented on the ground across various geographical regions and sectors, including water conservation, disaster prevention, agriculture, and urban planning.
3. Capacity building – To strengthen the research and practical skills of African scientists, practitioners, and students engaged in climate adaptation work. 
4. Network development – To foster lasting partnerships between African institutions and international research organizations, facilitating long-term collaboration and knowledge transfer.
5. Policy engagement – To translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations that support national and regional adaptation strategies, contributing to climate-resilient development pathways.

• Climate adaptation policies
• Nature-based solutions
• Food security
• Water resources
• Sustainable agriculture
• Urban resilience
• Disaster risk reduction
• Climate finance
• Renewable energy
• Climate governance
• Education and capacity building
• Health and climate change

Other topics may also be considered, please contact the organisers to discuss your ideas


 

• Researchers and academics
• Government representatives
• International organisations
• NGOs and civil society
• Private sector
• Students and early-career professionals
   

• Home of the African Union
• Headquarters of UNECA
• Leading academic institutions
• Excellent international connectivity
• Strategic location for continental dialogue
   

Selected papers presented at the symposium will have the opportunity to be published in a dedicated volume as part of the Springer Nature Climate Change Management Series.  

This internationally recognised book series provides an authoritative source of information on climate change management, with an emphasis on projects, case studies, and practical initiatives.

The series is abstracted and indexed in SCOPUS and SCImago, ensuring high visibility and academic impact. All submitted chapters undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process coordinated by the editors, ensuring quality and scholarly integrity.

Chapter submission is not mandatory, only suggested.
 

There are two possibilities for attending the symposium: 

1. By only attending the symposium (without a paper presentation): please register on the following form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/d2W2dHdVue
2. By delivering an oral or poster presentation: Researchers may submit any complete, original, and unpublished research papers, either conceptual or empirical. To participate, participants need to submit an abstract of 200 to 300 words, along with the authors' names and full contact details. Abstracts should be submitted by using the following form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/rmtWukxVPy  

The Symposium will be held in the premises of the University of Addis Ababa, in the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The exact details will be shared with registered delegates. 

 

The Symposium is completely self-funded and delegates are expected to pay their fees and cover their own travel costs.

• Prof. Wei Wu, Nanjing Agricultural University
• Dr. Desalegn Chanie, Bahir Dar University 
• Prof. Zerga Abdellatif, Pan African University Institute for Water and Energy Sciences including Climate Change (PAUWES)
• Prof. Dgefa Tolossa, Addis Ababa University 
• Filagot Megistu Wale (Ph.D), Addis Ababa University 
• Prof. Mekuriaw, Addis Ababa University
   

Prof. Dr. Walter Leal (HAW Hamburg, Germany)
Prof. Leal is Director of the Research and Transfer Centre "Sustainable Development and Climate Change Management" at the Hamburg University of environmental management and sustainable development since 1987. Prof. Leal is one of the world's most cited climate researchers, named in the Clarivate "Highly Cited Researchers" list for 2025. He has authored over< 1,000 scientific publications, including 230 books, and has served as a Reviewer, Review Editor and Lead Author for the IPCC. He is also the< Editor of the Springer Climate Change Management Series. His research interests include climate change adaptation, sustainable development, and climate policy.

Prof. Desalegn Ayal (Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia)
Prof. Ayal is a distinguished academic at Addis Ababa University, where he leads research on climate adaptation, food security, and sustainable development. He has published extensively on climate variability and adaptation responses in Ethiopia and has collaborated with Prof. Leal on numerous international publications. His work focuses on bridging the gap between research and practice, ensuring that adaptation strategies are grounded in local realities and community needs.

For further information regarding the symposium, abstract submission, registration, and partnership opportunities, please contact the symposium secretariat: FTZ-NK-Events (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de