Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamanaka Appointed to ICLEI Global Executive Committee
On 26 November 2025, during the closing session of the Asia Smart City Conference (ASCC) 2025 held at Pacifico Yokohama North, it was announced that Takeharu Yamanaka, Mayor of Yokohama City, has been appointed to the ICLEI Global Executive Committee (GexCom), serving as Circular Development Portfolio Holder.
This appointment marks the first time since ICLEI GexCom was reorganized in 2012 that a Japanese local government leader has been selected to serve on the committee.
The City of Yokohama has actively shared its initiatives on climate action and the realization of circular cities at the international level. These efforts have been highly recognized, leading to this appointment to the ICLEI GexCom.
The Circular Development Portfolio Holder is responsible for the following roles in advancing the realization of circular cities:
- Providing advice on action plans in the field of circular development;
- Promoting partnerships with international organizations and other key stakeholders;
- Facilitating discussions among member cities and broadly disseminating achievements in circular urban development;
- Delivering keynote addresses and representing ICLEI at major international conferences, among other responsibilities
As ICLEI GexCom Circular Development Portfolio Holder, Mayor Yamanaka is expected to demonstrate leadership in advancing climate action and initiatives that contribute to the realization of circular cities.
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