On 5 July 2026, the ICLEI East Asia Regional Executive Committee (RexCom) convened in Guiyang, China. During the meeting, members of the Executive Committee, including Kyoto City, shared updates on their recent activities. Participants also received reports from ICLEI offices across East Asia and exchanged views on the region’s 2026 work plan and strategic engagement in upcoming international conferences.

Opening the meeting, Mayor Koji Matsui of Kyoto City, Chair of the East Asia Regional Executive Committee, referred to the record-breaking heatwaves experienced across East Asia and devastating floods in many parts of the world over the past year. Stressing that addressing global warming is an urgent challenge facing all humanity, he underscored the vital role and responsibility of local governments in achieving the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target for future generations.

Mayor Matsui also introduced Kyoto City’s vision of becoming “a city where people embrace a deep sense of respect and gratitude for nature.” He called on member cities to share their common values through the ICLEI network and strengthen collaboration across East Asia to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable society.

Kyoto City’s initiatives were presented by Ms. Mioko Yabuki, Director of the DO YOU KYOTO? Project Promotion Office within the Climate Change Policy Office, who attended on behalf of Mayor Matsui.

Executive Director Togo Uchida attended the meeting on behalf of Mr. Kazuhiko Takemoto, Chair of ICLEI Japan and Advisor to the East Asia Regional Executive Committee. He shared updates on the activities of Japanese member local governments in preparation for this year’s Conferences of the Parties (COPs) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). He also introduced progress on the Asian Circular Cities Declaration (ACCD), a new initiative launched by ICLEI Japan last year, and emphasized the importance of further strengthening collaboration among local governments across the East Asia region.