The integrated population, health and environment regional conference has kicked off at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu.
The conference is organised by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission which brings together policy makers, scholars, researchers, programmes and communities from the East Africa Region.
Speaking during the launch of the conference, Population Health and Environment (PHE) Deputy executive secretary Patrice Niyongago said that the platform will allow interrogation of inter-linkages between health, livelihoods and the environment.
"The platform provides an opportunity to review progress in PHE programming in the EAC region and beyond," said Niyongago.
He added: "This conference is held at time when the world is moving into the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals targets."
Niyangago appreciated the governments in the EAC region in their efforts to improving the health of mother and children, reducing HIV/AIDS and promoting gender empowerment.
"However, despite the achievements realised, a lot still remains to be done to ensure zero deaths of mothers and children and also increase efforts in environment conservation and livelihood improvement," he said.
Niyangago said that sub-theme show that the PHE approach can positively influence key development and emerging issue such as climate change, gender and inter-sectoral collaboration.
At the same time, Niyongabo asked stakeholders to invest in empowering communities on the environment and good health saying that the PHE policy and programming must be implemented.