Nairobi, Kenya, 23 September 2026 – The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), convened the Strengthening Surveillance at Major Transport Hubs workshop under the auspices of the Wastewater Surveillance for Africa Initiative from 21 to 23 September 2026 at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).
The workshop was supported by the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and brought together government representatives, technical institutions, researchers, airport and port stakeholders, and international partners from 19 countries across Africa, Asia, the Asia-Pacific, the Americas and Europe. The meeting advanced knowledge exchange and cooperation on wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) at major transport hubs and points of entry. The workshop explored how surveillance of wastewater from aircraft, airports, vessels, ports and associated catchments can support public-health preparedness, early warning, environmental protection and source-to-sea pollution management.
The opening session highlighted the importance of coordinated multisectoral action to strengthen WES systems at major transport hubs. Opening remarks were delivered by high-level representatives of the Kenyan ministries of Health and Environment as well as key partners and co-organisers includingProf. Kaveh Madani, Director of UNU-INWEH, Mr. Alex Pires on behalf of Ms. Doreen Lyn Robinson,Deputy Director of UNEP’s Ecosystems Division, Ms. Anastasia Koutsolioutsou, Policy Officer at DG HERA, andMs. Joy Ebonwu, Senior Technical Officer for Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance at Africa CDC.
“Effective wastewater and environmental surveillance brings together water, environment, public health, science and policy, and it is by connecting these different areas of expertise that we can turn data and evidence into meaningful and timely action” said Prof. Madani in his opening remarks.
Participants engaging in interactive scenario-based WES exercises.
Over three days, participants exchanged practical experience on establishing and scaling WES at points of entry. The programme featured case studies from African and international partners including Singapore, Barbados and Belgium, technical sessions on operational and laboratory considerations, discussions on cross-border data sharing and public-health action, and exercises to strengthen harmonised approaches for surveillance in Africa.
Ms. Tariro Mbiba (UNU-INWEH) presenting on the WES e-learning course under development by UNU-INWEH and UNEP.
During the workshop, Ms. Tariro Mbiba, International Affairs and Policy Associate at UNU-INWEH presented the e-learning course on Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance in Africa: Harmonised Approaches for Public Health and Ecosystem Protection, being developed by UNU-INWEH in collaboration with UNEP. Designed as an accessible, self-paced digital learning resource, the course will translate the practical guidance and strategic framing of UNEP’s Harmonisation Approach into an interactive learning experience for the full WES ecosystem across Africa.
Participants identifying country-specific challenges and opportunities in WES at points of entry.
The workshop also provided participants an opportunity to contribute feedback to two key technical reompendium of Lessons Learned and Best Practices in Wastewater Surveillance at Airports and Ports in Africa. The discussions will help ensure that these reg to develop or strengthen surveillance
ILRI Laboratory representative shares insights with workshop participants during their field visit to the ILRI campus in Nairobi.
On the second day of the workshop, a field visit to the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi guided by Dr. Samuel Oyola and Dr. Bernard Mware provided participants with an opportunity to engage with ongoing technical work and explore the laboratory, analytical and institutional capacities that underpin effective wastewater and environmental surveillance. The field trip underscored the value of integrating WES into national surveillance architectures, early-warning systems and environmental management frameworks. It also reinforced the importance of collaboration among public-health authorities, environmental regulators, laboratories, water and sanitation institutions, airport and port operators, and research partners.
Ms. Heidi Savelli-Soderberg (UNEP) delivers her closing remarks.
In the closing session, remarks were delivered by Ms. Heidi Savelli-Soderberg,Chief of the Source-to-Sea Pollution Unit in UNEP’s Ecosystems Division, Ms. Anastasia Koutsolioutsou of DG HERA, and Ms. Sogol Jafarzadeh, Policy Development and Government Relations Lead at UNU-INWEH. Speakers reaffirmed the need for sustained investment, practical cooperation and harmonised approaches to ensure WES contributes effectively to health security, environmental protection and resilience across Africa and globally.
Ms. Anastasia Koustolioutsou (DG-HERA) and Mr. Alex Pires (UNEP) present participants with UNU-INWEH certificates at the end of the workshop.
The workshop concluded with the presentation of UNU-INWEH certificates to participants in recognition of their active engagement and contributions throughout the three-day programme. The certificates recognized participants’ contributions to strengthening regional and cross-regional cooperation and advancing wastewater and environmental surveillance at priority transport hubs.
Group photo at the ILRI Campus field visit.
