On September 24, 2026, a senior official from the City of Yokohama, responsible for global city strategy within the Policy Management and International Strategy Bureau, spoke from a city perspective at “Istanbul Platform: From Connection to Impact,” a special high-level event held in New York during Climate Week NYC 2026.

Organized by Climate High-Level Champions (CHLC), the invitation-only event took place at the New York office of Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Ahead of COP31, it aimed to connect cities’ zero-waste and circular economy initiatives with businesses, finance, technology partners, and international organizations to translate global climate goals into implementation.

Following opening remarks by Dan Ioschpe, COP30 Climate High-Level Champion, a high-level session titled “Why Connection Matters” brought together perspectives on collaboration. The Yokohama representative joined the session to share the perspective of cities.

Discussions highlighted the role of cities as places where waste management, buildings, infrastructure, businesses, and daily life intersect, making them important actors in translating global climate goals into concrete action. Participants also discussed the need to connect city-led initiatives with finance, technology, data, markets, and implementation partners so that successful approaches can be expanded and replicated.

The Yokohama representative introduced the city’s ongoing efforts to advance zero waste and the circular economy as part of its urban and climate policies, building on its longstanding work to reduce waste.

In March 2026, Yokohama was selected as the only Japanese city among the 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste recognized by the Advisory Board of Eminent Persons on Zero Waste, established by the UN Secretary-General. The representative also highlighted the Asia Circular Cities Declaration (ACCD), an initiative launched with Yokohama as a founding city, and the Asia-Pacific Circular Cities Forum (APCC-Forum), held in Yokohama in September 2026, as opportunities to share knowledge and practical approaches with cities across the Asia-Pacific region.

Following the Yokohama representative’s intervention, discussions continued among stakeholders from cities, businesses, the financial sector, and international organizations on how to connect local implementation with finance, technology, and international frameworks ahead of COP31.

Through its participation, Yokohama emphasized the importance of linking practical city-level initiatives with international climate action through cooperation with businesses, financial institutions, technology partners, and international organizations.

The Office of the City of Yokohama Representative to the Americas will continue to share Yokohama’s initiatives internationally and strengthen partnerships with cities, international organizations, and businesses to help address urban challenges, including climate change and the circular economy.