The Director of the European Office attended the Fifth United Nations Forum of Mayors, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 6 to 7, 2025, as a representative of Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka. At a session discussing climate change finance mechanisms and local governments’ SDG progress reviews, we presented our city’s initiatives and discussed the role of cities in shaping a sustainable future.
The Role of Cities in the International Community
The conference was hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Over 80 cities and international organizations from around the world participated, with multiple sessions held over two days. In conjunction with the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in July 2025 in New York, focused on three key themes: “SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)”, “SDG 5 (Gender Equality)”, and “SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)”, discussions centered on climate finance mechanisms, Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), and housing issues and urban inclusivity.
Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
At the opening of the conference, Tatiana Molcean, Executive Secretary of UNECE, stated: ‘Amidst global instability, the strength of the United Nations is underpinned by the agency of cities. Cities are a wellspring of creativity and hope.’ Emphasizing the vital role of cities, she added: ‘Safe livelihoods, green and affordable energy, dignified housing, and community bonds – these elements constitute the true measure of sustainability.’
Initiatives of the City of Yokohama
Yokohama City presented its initiatives at a session discussing the Climate Change Finance Mechanism and the progress review of the SDGs by local governments.
During the session on climate change finance mechanisms, concrete examples were presented: the Y-SDGs certification system supporting over 800 companies by providing financial and non-financial services through ESG assessment, and the Minato Mirai district’s decarbonisation model receiving high praise in the OECD’s TACAR assessment.
Yokohama City actively shares insights on sustainable urban development, including climate change countermeasures, and will host the 9th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-9) in 2027 in collaboration with ESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific).
A look into the session
Furthermore, during the session on local government progress reviews of the SDGs, Yokohama City presented its VLR as a means of disseminating urban insights globally. It highlighted its first Asian peer review of Santa Rosa City’s VLR as a concrete example of promoting the VLR’s adoption across Asia through collaboration with international organizations and cities. Yokohama City published its VLR in 2021.
The Mayor of our sister city Lyon and the Head of the Yokohama City European Office
Asia’s leading environmentally advanced city, Yokohama
Yokohama City, which has received high praise for its climate change countermeasures, is advancing various initiatives while deepening collaboration with stakeholders both domestically and internationally, including the United Nations and overseas cities.
This November will see the Asia Smart City Conference, themed around advancing the circular economy and carbon neutrality, and in 2027, GREEN×EXPO 2027 will be held in Yokohama.
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