On July 8, 2026, the Office of the City of Yokohama Representative to the Americas participated in the 5th VLR–VSR Days 2026, held within the framework of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, and spoke during Session 1, titled “VLRs and VSRs as Catalyzers for Better Local Public Services: SDGs 6, 7, 9, and 11.”

VLR–VSR Days 2026 was held online from July 8 to 9 and was co-organized by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), UN-Habitat, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), and the Local2030 Coalition.

The event brought together local and regional governments, their networks, national government agencies, international organizations, and development partners to discuss the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals through Voluntary Local Reviews (VLR)  and Voluntary Subnational Reviews (VSR), as well as the improvement of public services and the advancement of multilevel governance.

Representing the City of Yokohama, the Office Representative to the Americas introduced the city’s first Voluntary Local Review, published in 2021, and its second VLR, published in March 2026.

The presentation explained that Yokohama uses its VLR not simply as a report on progress toward the SDGs, but as a city management tool to assess policy outcomes and challenges, review and improve policies, communicate Yokohama’s initiatives domestically and internationally, and learn from other cities.

It also highlighted how the VLR is incorporated into the city’s management cycle, which consists of a four-year medium-term plan, policy implementation, annual reviews, and continuous improvement.

In addition, the presentation introduced cross-sectoral initiatives related to SDG 11 that were highlighted in the second VLR, including the transition toward a circular city, tourism and economic growth, and urban development focused on creating the future.

The Office also introduced the Ninth Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-9) and GREEN×EXPO 2027, both scheduled to be held in Yokohama in 2027, as opportunities to further promote mutual learning among cities and strengthen international collaboration.

Yokohama’s Presentation Materials for the Session 

During the session, cities, associations of local governments, and international organizations from around the world shared a range of practical examples of how VLRs and VSRs are being used.

Although the participating governments differed in terms of their regions, institutional frameworks, and stages of development, many faced common challenges, including the effective use of data, coordination among government departments, collaboration with residents and diverse stakeholders, and securing financial resources.

The discussion reaffirmed that VLRs and VSRs are not merely mechanisms for reporting progress. Their role is expanding globally as practical tools that support policymaking, improve public services, and advance multilevel governance.

The City of Yokohama will continue to actively participate in international discussions and city networks, promote sustainable urban development through the exchange of knowledge with cities in Japan and abroad, and further deepen international collaboration toward APUF-9 and the GREEN×EXPO 2027, both of which will be held in Yokohama in 2027.