The Kenya Green Building Society (KGBS) is proud to announce the commencement of its highly anticipated Annual Conference, set to take place on 4th and 5th September 2024 at the Radisson Blu, Upper Hill, Nairobi.

Themed, “Creating a Sustainable and Inclusive Tomorrow: Innovating the Greenprint for Our Urban Future”, the conference will gather over 200 key stakeholders from the built environment, including policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, government officials from the Government of Kenya, the Kingdom of Belgium,Nairobi City County, financiers, sustainability experts, and leading players such as IFC, COP28 hosts, Expocity Dubai, East African Business Council, Gatsby Africa, Daikin, PIDG, Habitat for Humanity, Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews, FSD Africa, and others.

KGBS CEO Nasra Nanda expressed her excitement about the event, stating, “This conference is not just a gathering but a movement towards creating a sustainable and inclusive future for our a rapidly growing and urbanizing Kenya. We are bringing together the brightest minds and most dedicated stakeholders to innovate and lead the green print for Africa’s urban development, with a view at the end to kickstart the country position for sustainability in the built environment.

The objective of this year’s conference is to foster a future where sustainable and resilient built environments are accessible to all, driving inclusive prosperity, finance, and environmental stewardship. The two-day event will feature a series of panel discussions, presentations, and workshops, all focused on advancing the sustainability agenda in urban development in Kenya, and with a view of expanding across Africa.

Reading a speech on behalf of Alice Wahome, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Lands, PublicWorks, Housing and Urban Development, Eng. Maurice Aketch, Executive Director, National Construction Authority said the conference serves as the launch of the roadmap of the country position for sustainability in the built environment.

“We are taking a bold step forward to integrate sustainable practices across all facets of urban development—from the financing we need, to materials we use in construction to the way we plan our cities, to the policies that govern land useand housing” he said.

The key highlights of the two day conference include:-

Panel Discussions: Attendees will benefit from insightful discussions on topics including innovative approaches to sustainable housing, the role of energy efficiency and waste management in urban development, finance and the intersection of smart cities, law, and technology. Each panel will feature distinguished experts and practitioners in the field.

Presentations and Workshops: The conference will also feature presentations (list not exhaustive) on Kenya’s Green Jobs and Skills Development, the National Building Code, and an IFC-led workshop on greening Kenya through sustainable affordable housing partnerships.

Awards Ceremony: An evening session will recognize entities making significant strides in driving sustainability, with Daikin, as the cocktail sponsor for the award session.

Sustainability in Action Tour: The conference will conclude with site visits to East Africa’s first IFC EDGE Green Certified University, Aga Khan University, and Roam Electric’s E-mobility plant, showcasing sustainable practices in action.

The KGBS Annual Conference 2024 is set to be a landmark event whose report will serve as the foundation for the country’s stance on sustainability in the built environment fostering collaboration and motivating action toward the vision of green and resilient African cities as outlined by the AU.