Session | APCC-Forum 2026

coming soon！

G2

10:00-10:35

Opening

Representatives from cities, city networks, international organizations, and government agencies will share their visions for the inaugural APCC-Forum and their expectations for its role in advancing circular cities across the Asia-Pacific region.

Jun Matsuura

Deputy Mayor
City of Yokohama

Kazuhiko Takemoto

Chair
ICLEI Japan

Thomas Gnocchi

Deputy Head of Delegation
Delegation of the European Union to Japan

Shombi Sharp

Deputy Executive Secretary
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific（ESCAP）

G2

10:45-12:30

Plenary 1
Pathways to a Circular Economy in Asia-Pacific Cities

Local governments are expected to play a critical role in advancing the circular economy. They are responsible for waste management systems, urban infrastructure development, and shaping consumption patterns, while also fostering resource circulation systems in collaboration with businesses and civil society.
At the same time, the diverse socioeconomic conditions across Asia-Pacific cities require pathways that reflect regional contexts while improving resource efficiency and promoting the introduction of circular business models.

Against this backdrop, this session will discuss how circular cities can be advanced in the Asia-Pacific region. Drawing on practical experiences from Asian cities and insights from diverse stakeholders, participants will explore institutional frameworks to support resource circulation, public-private collaboration, and the roles of citizens and local communities.

The session will also examine concrete actions to strengthen regionally appropriate transition models and enhance the effectiveness of the Asian Circular Cities Declaration (ACCD) framework.

Sarah O'Carroll

Institutions Lead
Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Akiko Yamamoto

Regional Team Leader for Asia and the Pacific, Environment and Energy Team
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Alfredo M. Coro II

Mayor
Municipality of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, Philippines

Togo Uchida

Executive Director
ICLEI Japan

Aliyah Mustika Ilham

Deputy Mayor
City of Makassar, Indonesia

Mark Gregory C. Afable

Head of the City Information Office
City of Borongan, Philippines

Rieko Kubota

Senior Program Officer
Tokyo Development Learning Center, World Bank Group

G2

13:45-14:45

Plenary 2
From Vision to Action for Circular Cities: Co-creation and Development through GREEN×EXPO 2027

This session will share the GREEN×EXPO 2027’s vision for the future and practical lessons from implementing circular economy initiatives in cities, while exploring their applicability across the Asia-Pacific region and opportunities for broader stakeholder collaboration.
The keynote presentation will introduce the highlights of GREEN×EXPO 2027, now just six months away, along with its approach to and prospects for translating the EXPO’s sustainability initiatives into real-world implementation.
The session will also showcase experiences from Asian cities, including urban policies that support comprehensive circular economy transitions. Experts will also share trends and developments from cities and businesses around the world, including those in Europe. The session will discuss perspectives and approaches for applying these insights to other cities and regions.

Misa Kemmiya

Executive Director, Department of Sustainability Management
Japan Association for the International Horticultural Expo 2027, Yokohama

Norio Tomioka

Executive Director of Global Initiatives Department
Policy Administration and International Affairs Bureau, City of Yokohama

Elizar Jr Lequin Sabinay

Executive Assistant V, Provincial Planning and Development office and Investment
Cebu Provincial Government, Philippines

Tamara Iskandar

Cities Strategist
Circle Economy

Anis Nassar

Head, Critical Minerals
World Economic Forum

G2

15:00-17:00

Practical Approaches Toward Zero-Waste Cities
Actionable Circularity and Zero Waste: Scaling through Resilience (CITYNET Cluster Seminar 2026)

In this session, we will analyze concrete examples of circular economy initiatives and zero-waste practices in CITYNET member cities to identify key success factors and challenges, toward promoting and establishing a circular economy in the Asia-Pacific region.
At the same time, taking into account the impact of climate change and disasters on the continuity of circular economy efforts, we will also highlight the importance and role of strengthening resilience—particularly through mechanisms such as disaster risk finance. Based on this discussion, the session aims to present practical directions for the sustainable scaling and replication of circular economy initiatives.

Jun Matsuura

Deputy Mayor
City of Yokohama

Vijay Jagannathan

Secretary General
CityNet Secretariat

Tomomi Yamashita

Director General for Global Initiatives
Policy Administration and International Affairs Bureau, City of Yokohama

Jun Sakakibara

Executive Director of Housing Department
Housing and Architecture Bureau, City of Yokohama

Mat Nasir bin Hassan

Executive Director of the Valuation and Property Management Department
Seberang Perai City Council, Malaysia

Neil Ravena

Department Head II, City General Services Office
City of Iloilo, Philippines

Oddy Angelo Barrios

Human Settlements Officer
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

Dhana Raj Acharya

Mayor
Pokhara Metropolitan City, Nepal

Benjamin B Magalong

Mayor
City Government of Baguio, Philippines

Jae-Bok Chang

CEO
CityNet Secretariat

Parallel

15:00-17:00

ACCD Session 1
Implementation and Challenges in Circular Cities (City Presentations)

Local Governments that have signed the Asian Circular Cities Declaration (ACCD) will share their leading initiatives and the challenges they face in advancing circular city transitions.
The discussion will focus on the challenges faced by Local Governments and the future of the ACCD.

Participating Cities

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand

Bogor City, Indonesia

Chungcheongnam Province, Korea

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Korea

Makati City, Philippines

Mandaue City, Philippines

Muntinlupa City, Philippines

Nowon-gu, Seoul Metropolitan City, Korea

People's Committee of Da Nang City, Vietnam

Quezon City, Philippines

Saitama City

Seberang Perai City Council, Malaysia

Participating Organizations

Circle Economy

Ellen MacArthur Foundation(EMF)

World Economic Forum

G2

9:30-11:00

Business Sector Session
Industrial Transformation and the Role of Cities toward a Circular Economy – What Companies Advancing Circular Economy Expect from Cities

In 2025, the first edition of the “Global Circular Protocol (GCP),” a common international framework for objectively measuring, evaluating, and disclosing companies’ progress toward a circular economy, was released.
Going forward, companies will be required to quantitatively demonstrate the circularity of products and materials, traceability, reuse rates. As GCP becomes a common language for businesses, local governments will increasingly need to shift from traditional waste management toward industrial policies that circulate resource value.
In this session, international organizations will present global trends in industrial policy surrounding the circular economy and explore opportunities for collaboration between companies and cities. And case studies from diverse fields such as manufacturing, construction, digital transformation, and packaging, the session will highlight what companies expect from cities.
The session will also examine expectations from companies toward cities—such as collection and recycling infrastructure, regional circulation data, data integration, public procurement, and demonstration environments—while exploring new circular city models through public–private collaboration.

Yu Kato

Director/Specially-appointed Associate Professor
Circular Futures Design Center, Shizenkan University

Genki Unno

Chief
Sustainable Design Group, Design Department, Tokyo Main Office, TAKENAKA CORPORATION

Hisashi Harada

Chief Strategy Lead
Manufacturing Technology Center, Yamaha Motor.Co., Ltd.

Hiroki Omura

Managing Director of Marketing & Sales
RECOTECH Inc.

Yuko Ohmori

Head of Sustainability
Nihon Tetra Pak K.K.

G2

11:15-12:45

Finance Session
Resource Circulation Systems and Finance in Asia-Pacific Cities

To address challenges specific to Asia, such as rapid urbanization and the strain on waste management systems, this session will discuss approaches to resource circulation infrastructure and financing.
This session will provide information that contributes to enhancing the bankability of cities, including schemes for loans and technical assistance by international financial institutions, risk-sharing mechanisms, and requirements for project information.
In addition, this session will reexamine the roles and significance of intermediate treatment facilities—such as waste-to-energy plants—within resource circulation systems, from perspectives including sanitation improvement and greenhouse gas reduction.
Furthermore, by introducing case studies of urban projects, this session will clarify key points related to risk allocation, ensuring profitability, and institutional development. Through presenting pathways for effective project development via collaboration among international organizations, cities, and private companies, we aim to promote increased investment in resource circulation systems suited to Asia and the creation of concrete projects.

Shoko Tawara

Senior Program Officer
World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center

Rieko Kubota

Senior Program Officer
Tokyo Development Learning Center, World Bank Group

Yohei Yagyu

Infrastructure Specialist
Global Infrastructure Facility/ The World Bank Group

Gen Takahashi

Deputy General manager, Sales & Marketing Dept., Global Business Div., Environmental Solutions Sector
JFE Engineering Corporation

Ariastuty Sirait

Deputy for Public Services
BP Batam, Indonesia

Helmy Budiman

Head of Environment agency
Makassar City , Indonesia

G2

14:00-15:45

ACCD Gathering & Closing

Representatives of ACCD signatory cities will convene to reflect on the discussions held throughout the forum and present the future direction of the ACCD, along with its concrete actions and initiatives.

Takeshi Sekiya

Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs
Ministry of the Environment, Japan

Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana
(Video Message)

Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Mike Josef

Lord Mayor
City of Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Misa Kemmiya

Executive Director, Department of Sustainability Management
Japan Association for the International Horticultural Expo 2027, Yokohama

Vijay Jagannathan

Secretary General
CityNet Secretariat

Hiroki Omura

Managing Director of Marketing & Sales
RECOTECH Inc.

Rieko Kubota

Senior Program Officer
Tokyo Development Learning Center, World Bank Group

Togo Uchida

Executive Director
ICLEI Japan

Ramon Nito Durano III

Mayor
Danao City, Philippines

Kazuhiko Takemoto

Chair
ICLEI Japan

Students of the Yoshinaga Seminar

Yokohama City University

Jun Matsuura

Deputy Mayor
City of Yokohama

G1

9:30-11:00

City to City Session
Signatory cities of Asian Circular Cities Declaration (ACCD) Declaration Cities and International Organizations Discuss Scaling the Circular Economy through Intercity Collaboration

This session will explore the potential and implementation mechanisms of intercity collaboration as a key to expanding circular economy practices from individual cities across the Asia-Pacific region.
Discussions will go beyond knowledge sharing and technical cooperation by leading cities to consider mutually beneficial partnerships and business opportunities involving private companies and solution providers.
The session will also examine how support mechanisms—such as financing, institutional design, and platform development by governments and international organizations—can promote intercity collaboration.

Makoto Kato

Board Member
Overseas Environmental Cooperation Center, Japan

Rachada Maneewong

Director of Waste Management Service Division, Solid Waste Management Strategy Office, Environment Department
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand

Andi Zulfitra Dianta

Head of Cooperation Office
City of Makassar, Indonesia

Nestor Dionson Archival

Mayor
City of Cebu, Philippines

Joy Blessilda Sinay

Capacity Building Specialist
Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI)

Shigehiko Sugita

Group Director, Urban and Regional Development Group, Infrastructure Management Department
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

G1

11:15-12:45

Public-Private Dialogue (In Japanese Only)
Possibility of Aligning Municipal Policies and Business Activities to Accelerate the Circular Economy – Public Procurement, Supply Chains, and Advanced Resource Circulation

Building on discussions from the business sector session, this dialogue will focus on how municipal policies can foster market creation—through (1) public procurement and systems, (2) support for supply chain development, and (3) advanced resource circulation—and how these align with corporate activities.
Part 1: Circular public procurement (especially in construction) and evaluation systems implemented by local governments can be key drivers in shaping markets for the circular economy. This part will share municipal policies and initiatives, particularly in the construction sector, and discuss challenges and opportunities in combination with practical examples from companies in the same field.
Part 2: One of the major challenges in advancing the circular economy is the establishment of circular supply chains. This part will present municipal policies and initiatives to support supply chain development and businesses, and explore challenges and opportunities alongside practical examples from relevant companies.
Part 3: Municipal digital transformation (DX), data development, and the advancement and optimization of resource circulation—aligned with the progress of circular business practices in the private sector—are expected to enhance urban competitiveness. This part will share local government policies and initiatives on resource circulation DX and system advancement, and discuss challenges and opportunities with insights from corporate practices in the same field.

Yu Kato

Director/Specially-appointed Associate Professor
Circular Futures Design Center, Shizenkan University

Genki Unno

Chief
Sustainable Design Group, Design Department, Tokyo Main Office, TAKENAKA CORPORATION

Osamu Furuichi

Chief　Manager, Advanced Technoligy Design Section, Design Division
TAISEI CORPORATION

Hisashi Harada

Chief Strategy Lead
Manufacturing Technology Center, Yamaha Motor.Co., Ltd.

Kazuhisa Kumano

Public Sector Business Development Director
Dassault Systemes K.K.

Hiroki Omura

Managing Director of Marketing & Sales
RECOTECH Inc.

Hideto Shirakata

Resource Recycling Sales Division Assistant Group General Manager
NIPPON EXPRESS CO., LTD.

Susumu Sone

Executive Director
Public Architecture Department, Housing and Architecture Bureau, City of Yokohama

Kozo Kaji

Executive Director
Planning Department, Economic Affairs Bureau, City of Yokohama

Takashi Oshima

Executive Director
Business Waste Management Department, Resources and Waste Recycling Bureau, City of Yokohama

G1

14:00-15:00

Side Event 1
Company Roundtable(Invitation Only, TBC)

coming soon！

G1

9:30-11:00

ACCD Session 2
Consolidation Workshop for Signatory Cities to ACCD and Partner Organizations (ACCD mechanism)

ICLEI, supporting organizations, and ACCD cities will discuss the governance of the ACCD and the strategic direction of its Action Plan.

ACCD Founding Cities

G1

11:15-12:45

ACCD Session 3 (Plastic)
Plastic Pollution and Local Governments

This session will explore how cities can serve as effective agents of change in addressing the growing and pressing challenge of plastic pollution.

Drawing on domestic and international case studies, participants will examine policy approaches available to local governments, including measures to reduce single-use plastics, improve waste separation and collection systems, and promote reuse and refill models. The discussion will consider regulatory measures, economic incentives, and behavior change strategies.

Building on the latest developments in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) dialogue on plastic pollution, toward a global plastics treaty, the session will clarify key bottlenecks faced by cities, including institutional constraints, coordination with businesses, cost burdens, and limited alternatives to plastic products. The discussion will explore the role and limitations of local governments, as well as opportunities for alignment with international agreements, national policies, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, and the private sector.

Hiroshi Ono

Executive Director
Institute for Global　Environmental Strategies (IGES)

Sarah O'Carroll

Institutions Lead
Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Takanobu Iwasaki

Deputy director for Planning
Sustainable Material Management Division, Bureau of Environment, Tokyo Metroploritan Government

ACCD Founding Cities

G1

14:00-15:00

Side Event 2 Youth Session (In Japanese Only)
Urban futures Initiative: Youth Dialogue Session

This session will discuss how to amplify voices of the Youth from Yokohama in the lead-up to the Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF) to be held in Yokohama in 2027.
Starting with issues raised by university students, UN agencies implementing youth programs and active youth organizations will present how youth initiatives can evolve into practice, institutional collaboration, and policy proposals.
The session will ultimately identify requirements for integrating youth voices not only into policymaking but also into implementation and evaluation, and present practical participation models and future directions based on participants’ expectations.

Kanami Murota

Policy Proposal Department
Japan Youth Platform for Sustainability

Hiromi Amano

Youth Engagement Analyst
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Representation Office in Tokyo

Students of the Yoshinaga Seminar

Yokohama City University

Hiroyuki Kurimoto

CEO
Liquitous Inc.

Hitomi Yokoyama

Founder & Representative
Rain Clouds Publishing LLC

Parallel

9:30-14:00

Poster Session

Poster Session Exhibitors（alphabetical order）

CITYNET

Clivia nobilis co.ltd.

Dassault Systemes K.K.

iFORCOM Co., Ltd.

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) / IFAD Youth Club Japan (IYCJ)

Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA)

JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY

JFE Engineering Corporation

JOBIA Co., Ltd.

KAJIMA CORPORATION

Kashima City

Kawasaki City

Nihon Tetra Pak K.K.

Pacific Convention Plaza Yokohama

RECOTECH Co., Ltd.

RX Japan GK

Satsumasendai City

TAISEI CORPORATION

TAKENAKA CORPORATION

TOHO LEO CO

United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD)

United Nations Human Settlement Programme Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP)

World Bank Group Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC)

Yokohama Seya Senior High School Mirai Kyoso Labo

YOKOHAMA URBAN SOLUTION ALLIANCE（YUSA）

YUASA CO., LTD.

Yokohama City

Parallel

13:00-14:45

Local Government Session
Circular Connect for Local Governments in Yokohama: Measuring Progress and Advancing Collaboration for Circular City Implementation(Invitation Only)

This luncheon-style roundtable is designed for local governments in Japan interested in advancing circular city transitions. The session will explore municipalities’ current progress and challenges, introduce approaches utilizing indicators, policy support, and collaboration mechanisms—including ACCD, inter-city networks, public-private partnerships, and alliances—and provide opportunities for sharing issues of mutual interest and networking among participants. It is intended to support information gathering for ACCD and international outreach, while fostering practical implementation and deeper collaboration.

Participating Local Governments : Aichi Prefecture, Gamagori City, Kameoka City, Kashima City, Kawasaki City, Kyoto City, Nasushiobara City, Saitama Prefecture, Satsumasendai City, Shiga Prefecture

Yosuke Konaka

Lead of Circular Economy
Sustainability Management Department Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited

Yuta Takahashi

Senior Officer
ICLEI Japan

Satoshi Sekiyama

Assistant Section Manager
Resource Circulation Division, Ministry of the Environment

Hiromi Nambu

General Technical Manager
Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA)

Takeshi Tanaka

President
RX Japan GK

Poster Session

Poster Session Exhibitors（alphabetical order）

CITYNET

Clivia nobilis co.ltd.

Dassault Systemes K.K.

iFORCOM Co., Ltd.

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) / IFAD Youth Club Japan (IYCJ)

Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA)

JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY

JFE Engineering Corporation

JOBIA Co., Ltd.

KAJIMA CORPORATION

Kashima City

Kawasaki City

Nihon Tetra Pak K.K.

Pacific Convention Plaza Yokohama

RECOTECH Co., Ltd.

RX Japan GK

Satsumasendai City

TAISEI CORPORATION

TAKENAKA CORPORATION

TOHO LEO CO

United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD)

United Nations Human Settlement Programme Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP)

World Bank Group Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC)

Yokohama Seya Senior High School Mirai Kyoso Labo

YOKOHAMA URBAN SOLUTION ALLIANCE（YUSA）

YUASA CO., LTD.

Yokohama City

Time Table

Floor Map