Europe supports Yokohama’s efforts to spread circular economy in Asia

The City of Yokohama and ICLEI Japan jointly hosted the Asia-Pacific Circular Cities Forum (APCC-Forum). Participants included cities across Asia advancing a circular economy, 52 local governments and organizations from Japan and abroad, and other stakeholders.
In about 15 sessions, participants discussed the transition toward circular cities in Asia. In addition, businesses and students also took part, and there was a showcase of ongoing circular activities.

The change of the conference’s name, formerly the Asia Smart City Conference, not only highlighted Yokohama as Asia’s leading circular city, but also demonstrated the ambition to broaden the network and exchange knowledge in the whole Asia Pacific region. 
But Yokohama is striving to connect even further: As the city had requested support from European entities for the initiation of Europe’s Circular Cities Declaration’s sister initiative, the Asia Circular Cities Declaration last year, it now welcomed Mike Josef, Lord Mayor of the City of Frankfurt am Main in Germany as a representative of one of the leading cities of the European Circular Cities Declaration. The Mayor of Yokohama’s German partner city expressed his support for the Asian Circular Cities Declaration as a bridge between Europe and Asia. He also shared Frankfurt’s current initiatives aimed at achieving zero waste as best practice for the other participating countries.

With 17 new signatory cities the Asia Circular Cities Declaration has expanded from 26 cities in 7 countries, representing a combined population of more than 57 million, to 43 cities in 11 countries, representing a combined population of more than 82 million.
Yokohama will continue to support the development of the circular economy in Asia, also by seeking further support from European municipalities and organizations, as everyone is aware that the current global challenges can only be overcome together.
Source: The City of Yokohama Europe Representative Office
https://apcc.city.yokohama.lg.jp/en/index.html