Global Forum on Circular Economy and Urban Resilience (Initiated by City of Yokohama)
Global Forum on Circular Economy and Urban Resilience
Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Venue: Club 135 by Industrious
Address: 135 W 50th Street, New York, NY 10020
Format: Invitation Only
Expected Attendance: Approximately 200 participants
Language: English
Host: Office of the City of Yokohama Representative to the Americas
Partners: Greennex Global, ShibuLA Ventures, and CleanLeap
About the Forum
The global economy is undergoing a profound transformation driven by geopolitical uncertainty, the restructuring of global supply chains, rapid advances in artificial intelligence, and growing demand for energy and critical resources.
Against this backdrop, the circular economy is emerging not only as an environmental agenda, but also as a strategic approach to strengthening economic competitiveness, resource security, industrial resilience, and sustainable growth.
Held during Climate Week NYC 2026, the Global Forum on Circular Economy and Urban Resilience will bring together city and regional government representatives, international organizations, corporations, investors, financial institutions, startups, and climate innovation leaders from Asia, North America, Europe, and beyond.
Through business showcases, reverse pitches, keynote remarks, and cross-sector discussions, the Forum will connect urban challenges with innovation, investment, and international partnerships. It will also explore how cities can serve as platforms for collaboration among businesses, startups, investors, and global institutions.
The Forum will serve as an important step toward Yokohama’s major international initiatives in 2027, including GREEN×EXPO 2027, Asia-Pacific Circular Cities Forum (APCC-Forum), the Asia-Pacific Urban Forum, and broader international dialogue on circular and resilient urban development.
View the Speaker List
Program
Morning Programme: Business & Innovation Forum
Connecting Innovation Ecosystems Across Asia, North America, and Europe
9:00–9:30 Registration and Networking Coffee
9:30–9:40 Welcome Remarks
9:40–10:30 Startup Showcase
Selected startups will present innovative technologies and business models in the fields of the circular economy, climate technology, and urban sustainability.
The session is designed to create opportunities for pilot projects, joint development, investment, strategic partnerships, and expansion into Japanese and broader Asian markets.
Presenting Startups: TBD
10:30–11:20 Reverse Pitch
Japanese companies will present their business challenges, innovation priorities, and areas of interest to an audience of international startups.
The session aims to identify potential partners and initiate discussions on joint development, pilot projects, and future business collaboration.
Participating Companies:
Sumitomo Corporation
Additional companies: TBD
11:20–12:00 Innovation Leaders Dialogue
AI, the Circular Economy, and the Next Industrial Transformation
Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries through major investment in semiconductors, data centers, digital infrastructure, and advanced industrial systems.
At the same time, AI has the potential to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy by improving efficiency across manufacturing, energy, logistics, resource management, and recycling.
This session will explore:
How AI is reshaping industrial competitiveness
Emerging opportunities at the intersection of AI and the circular economy
The potential of AI to improve resource efficiency and industrial decarbonization
Partnerships needed to commercialize and scale next-generation technologies
The roles of corporations, investors, and startups in the next industrial transformation
Speakers: TBD
Moderator: TBD
12:00–1:30 Networking Lunch
An opportunity for investors, startups, corporations, city leaders, and international organizations to connect across sectors, explore collaboration opportunities, and develop partnerships that can continue beyond the Forum.
The networking lunch will also be open to participants attending the afternoon programme.
Afternoon Programme: Policy & Leadership Forum
Accelerating Circular Economy and Urban Resilience
1:30–1:40 Opening Remarks
1:40–2:00 Keynote Address
The Next Chapter of the Circular Economy: Competitiveness, Resilience, and Global Collaboration
The circular economy is increasingly becoming a strategic framework for strengthening economic competitiveness, industrial resilience, resource security, and sustainable growth.
The keynote will examine why accelerating the transition requires deeper collaboration among cities, businesses, investors, and international organizations, setting the stage for the Forum’s discussions on innovation, partnerships, and global action.
Keynote Speaker:
Jibran Ahmed
Lead, Economic Development, Urban Transformation
World Economic Forum
2:00–2:20 Session 1
Asia’s Circular Future: New Opportunities for Global Collaboration
Asia’s rapid urbanization and growing policy ambition are making the region increasingly important to the global circular economy transition.
Cities will play a central role in translating global goals into locally driven policies, partnerships, and practical action. This session will examine how Asian cities can work with global partners to accelerate circular solutions and create new opportunities for cooperation.
Discussion themes include:
Why Asia will be central to the next phase of the circular economy
The role of cities in advancing circular solutions through policy, procurement, and partnerships
Opportunities for collaboration between Asian cities and global partners
Yokohama’s role as a platform for international collaboration toward 2027
GREEN×EXPO 2027 and related international initiatives
Speaker: TBD
Moderator:
Carlos Silva Filho
Member, United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste
2:20–3:05 Session 2
Investing in the Circular Economy: Innovation, Markets, and Growth
The transition to a circular economy is creating new markets, attracting investment, and driving innovation across industries and cities worldwide.
This session will explore how cities, businesses, investors, and innovation ecosystems can create market opportunities, attract capital and talent, and scale solutions capable of delivering both economic and environmental value.
Discussion themes include:
Emerging investment opportunities in the circular economy
Building innovation ecosystems that attract capital and talent
The role of cities in creating markets for circular solutions
Public-private partnerships for scaling innovation
Strengthening competitiveness through circular innovation
Speakers: TBD
Moderator: TBD
3:05–3:50 Session 3
Bridging Regions: Partnerships for Circular and Resilient Cities
The circular transition cannot be delivered by cities, financial institutions, businesses, or international organizations acting independently.
This session will explore how regional and global partnerships can connect urban priorities with technical expertise, investment, and implementation capacity. The discussion will focus on moving beyond the exchange of ideas toward concrete projects, financing mechanisms, and long-term collaboration.
Discussion themes include:
Connecting cities across Asia, North America, and other regions
Mobilizing finance for circular and resilient urban projects
Building pipelines of investable city projects
Connecting cities with businesses, investors, and international institutions
Scaling successful solutions across different markets
Turning international dialogue into practical collaboration
Continuing collaboration through international forums and Yokohama’s initiatives in 2027
Speakers: TBD
Moderator:
Vijay Jagannathan
Senior Fellow
World Resources Institute
3:50–4:00 Closing Remarks
Who Should Attend
The Forum is designed for:
City and regional government representatives
International organizations
Corporations and business leaders
Investors and financial institutions
Startups and entrepreneurs
Climate technology and circular economy experts
Urban development and resilience professionals
Innovation ecosystem leaders