First Asia-Pacific Circular Cities (APCC) Forum to be Held in Yokohama; Registration Now Open

The APCC Forum is an international event designed to consolidate expertise from industry, academia, and government to drive action toward a future of circular cities where environment and economy are compatible. This inaugural forum will convene leaders and innovators at the forefront of the circular economy in Yokohama. Participants will include cities that have endorsed the Asia Circular Cities Declaration (ACCD), a framework initiated by Yokohama in November of last year, to discuss a roadmap for the future of circular cities.

The event is open to all interested parties, including companies and citizens engaged in the circular economy and public officials working on the transition to circular cities. Registration is required.

[Event Overview]

Theme: Pathways to Circular City Transitions in the Asia-Pacific Region - Urban Solidarity and Concrete Actions Towards GREEN×EXPO 2027 and Beyond

Dates: - Sep 2 (Wed): Site-visit tour for invited overseas city representatives. - Sep 3 (Thu): Opening Session, Plenary Session, Practical Session towards Zero-Waste Cities, etc. - Sep 4 (Fri): Business Sector Session, Finance Session, Inter-city Cooperation Session, Youth Session, ACCD Session, etc.

Venue: Pacifico Yokohama North Organizer: City of Yokohama Co-organizer: ICLEI Japan Format: In-person (Some sessions will be archived and streamed later) Language: English (Simultaneous Japanese-English interpretation and Japanese-only sessions will be available depending on the session) Fee: Free Registration: Pre-registration is required via the website (starting June 3). https://apcc.city.yokohama.lg.jp

[Key Program Highlights]

1. Plenary Session: Leaders from cities and international organizations will discuss pathways to circular city transitions, considering the unique characteristics of the Asia-Pacific region. 2. Session on Zero-Waste Cities: Asia-Pacific cities will share practical examples and challenges in their efforts to achieve zero waste. 3. Business & Finance Sessions: Discussions on international trends in the circular economy, corporate initiatives, the potential for public-private partnerships, and mobilizing funds for resource circulation infrastructure. 4. ACCD-related Sessions: Presentations on the progress of ACCD signatory cities and discussions on action plans and policy recommendations to strengthen collaboration. 5. Poster Session & Business Networking: An exhibition of initiatives by companies, local governments, and international organizations, along with spaces to promote networking among participants.

[About the APCC Forum] An international forum organized by the City of Yokohama, building on the 14-year legacy of the Asia Smart City Conference. It aims to become a knowledge-sharing platform for multi-stakeholders to promote circular city development in Asia.

[About the ACCD] An international framework by Asian cities to promote the transition to circular economies. Initiated by Yokohama and announced by ICLEI Japan last November, 26 cities (representing a population of over 57 million) had signed as of the end of May 2026.