Yokohama City Leads with Launch of Asian Circular Cities Declaration

The Asia Smart City Conference (ASCC) 2025 was held in Yokohama, Japan, from 25 to 27 November, bringing together representatives from cities around the world alongside international organizations, academic institutions, and private enterprises to discuss the realization of sustainable urban development that balances economic growth with a livable urban environment. This year marks its 14th edition.



During the conference, the City of Yokohama issued a joint open letter with Asian city leaders, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, calling on international organizations and other stakeholders to support the circular transition in Asian cities, including the establishment of a Circular City Declaration framework in Asia. The open letter was inspired by region-wide actions and the mechanism of the European Circular Cities Declaration. The City of Amsterdam, a pioneering city on this agenda, warmly welcomed Yokohama’s leadership and expressed its commitment to joining forces across Europe and Asia to accelerate the transition to circular cities. The determination and expectations expressed in the open letter resonated with representatives from ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, and ICLEI Japan announced plans to launch an Asian Circular Cities Declaration framework. (ICLEI is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments, with its Secretariat based in Germany).

Alongside this commitment, international entities such as Circle Economy Foundation, CITYNET, UN-ESCAP, UNDP, UN-Habitat, and the World Economic Forum discussed providing support and collaborating with circular cities in Asia.
At the conference, it was also announced that Yokohama Mayor Yamanaka would assume the role of ICLEI Global Executive Committee Circular Development Portfolio World Board Director (Circular Growth).

Source: The City of Yokohama Europe Representative Office 
On the cover picture: Yokohama Mayor Mr. Yamanaka