Mayor of Yokohama Takeharu Yamanaka has been elected as the portfolio holder and mayor of Turku Piia Elo as adviser for Circular Development at the Global Executive Committee of ICLEI, the international organization for sustainable development in cities.
This week, they joined forces with other cities and partners at the launch of the Asian Circular Cities Declaration in Yokohama.
In international cooperation, countries are usually seen as the main actors, but the challenges posed by climate change have reinforced the importance of cities, businesses, and civil society in implementing solutions. The work of ICLEI includes strengthening practical cooperation between cities and influencing the United Nation's work on climate and sustainable development.
"Cooperation between cities is a great resource that benefits us all. When we share challenges and solutions with each other, we learn and develop much faster than we could on our own. The lessons we learn improve the quality of life and the environment not only in our own cities, but also in other active cities, says Mayor Piia Elo.
Turku and Yokohama lead the way in circular economy work
Mayor Elo serves at ICLEI’s Global Executive Committee (GexCom) as the representative of Europe and as Adviser on Circular Development. Her responsibilities include strengthening the promotion of the circular economy in cooperation with the Mayor of Yokohama, who is the Circular Development portfolio holder. Developing the circular economy is essential for slowing down climate change and halting the loss of nature.
"Avoiding the most serious consequences of climate change, ensuring sustainable well-being, and curbing the loss of nature require a more sustainable economic model than the current one. It is inspiring that we can work together with a large Asian city like Yokohama to take the circular economy to the next level, says Piia Elo.
Turku has been developing city-level circular economy solutions in cooperation with ICLEI and other partners for ten years. At the national level, Finland and Japan have been officially promoting the circular economy in cooperation since 2018.
Yokohama, ICLEI and partners launched the circular economy program for Asian cities
As one of her first tasks on the ICLEI board, Mayor Elo contributed to the launch of the Asian Circular Cities Declaration, a joint circular economy commitment and working model for cities, at the Asian Smart Cities Conference in Yokohama on November 25–27. In Europe, a similar working model supported by the European Commission (European Circular Cities Declaration) is already in use, and Turku has been actively involved in it since 2020.
"The creation of joint working models and reporting systems is something that ICLEI has long and successfully promoted. Thanks to the active work of Yokohama, ICLEI and partners, now also Asian cities can benefit from the shared framework for Circular Economy work. Based on our experiences with European cities, I am convinced that this will be of great benefit to the cities' own development work and cooperation between cities," says Mayor Elo.
Turku is a pioneer and trusted partner
Turku has achieved exceptionally good results in its climate work and has also been active in international cooperation between cities for a long time, for example by participating in United Nation’s climate conferences and significant development projects.
"As mayor, my predecessor Minna Arve did a great job of international cooperation and strengthened Turku's reputation as an active climate city. It's good to continue on the basis of her commendable work," Piia Elo praises.
ICLEI strengthens social sustainability
Turku's current mayoral program also strongly emphasizes well-being goals, combating segregation, and the future of children and young people. Yokohama is committed to inclusive growth that benefits everyone, and social sustainability is also one of ICLEI's main goals.
"It is important that climate policy and the transition to sustainability take all population groups into account and create sustainable growth that provides opportunities for everyone and creates a good everyday life. Social sustainability, the future of children and young people, and a fair transition are issues that I will also strongly promote in the leadership of ICLEI," concludes Piia Elo.
Universities and Vocational Institute participate and students benefit from the cooperation
Supported by the European Commission and the Sasakawa foundation, Turku has partnered with ICLEI Japan and several Japanese local governments since 2019 to exchange experiences on Climate Policy and develop together with universities and vocational institute an exchange program focused on circular economy innovations, studies and youth engagement. Over the past three years, more than 200 students have participated.
“Feedback from the students has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting practical examples and collaboration opportunities. Students have deepened their understanding of circular economy and its interconnections but also been inspired to take climate action independently. This aligns well with local governments’ goal of empowering youth as future changemakers,” says Turku’s Senior Adviser for Circular Economy Iris Kriikkula with satisfaction.
City of Turku and the University of Turku currently offer students two study modules focused on circular economy and innovation as part of the WiseFood project. In addition to learning from local circular economy examples, these modules empower students to take climate action and include the opportunity to apply for a study trip to Japan.
Read more:
- Turku’s work on Climate, Nature and Circular Economy: City for climate and nature | Turku.fi
- Launch of Asian Circular Cities Declaration: Asian Circular Cities Declaration Launched — Yokohama Leads as a First Signatory at ASCC 2025
- ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability