Reverse Pitches by Asian cities / Pitches by Japanese businesses -Business matching to solve urban issues-
GREEN STAGE10:40-12:00 English & Japanese
Asian markets are experiencing remarkable economic growth. Although many Japanese companies are interested in this market, Asian cities are facing growing needs for urban problem solutions due to rapid urbanization and population concentration in urban areas.
Focusing on fields such as decarbonization, infrastructure and energy conservation, this session aims to address solutions for common urban issues. Several Asian cities will present their own urban problems and Japanese companies will offer solutions and ideas. In addition, the OECD will analyze Yokohama's decarbonization efforts in order to share experiences and knowledge with other cities, while promoting decarbonization.
The creation of decarbonization innovation through the use of next-generation energy
GREEN STAGE13:10-13:55
To achieve carbon neutrality, it is expected that energy conservation and the use of renewable energy will be promoted, as well as the utilization of next-generation energy sources such as hydrogen and the creation of new decarbonization innovations.
In the City of Yokohama, research, development and testing related to next-generation energies such as hydrogen, ammonia, and e-methane are being conducted mainly in the waterfront area, where energy-related industries, manufacturing, logistics, etc. are concentrated.
In the last fiscal year, the Yokohama Decarbonization Innovation Council was established. Consisting of a diverse range of local companies, organizations, and academic experts, it aims to promote collaboration in the research and development of advanced technologies that will contribute to the creation of demand for next-generation energies, the expansion of energy supplies and to decarbonization. In this session, Council member companies will share advanced technologies and knowledge.
Ports are increasingly integrating renewable energies to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning from diesel-powered machinery to electric alternatives, significantly cutting emissions. Digitalization and automation play a critical role, enhancing operational efficiency and minimizing energy consumption. Additionally, green port initiatives involve constructing eco-friendly buildings, installing energy-efficient lighting, and developing green spaces to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Port cities are important in the global fight against climate change, while fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life. However, building resilient and environmentally sustainable port cities requires collaborative efforts among governments, private sectors, and international organizations. Moreover, financial investments in green technologies and infrastructure are crucial to support these initiatives. This session will showcase solutions and good practices for decarbonizing ports and port cities and discuss policy recommendations.
Are EVs Really Practical - Thinking about Mobility 2030
GREEN STAGE14:05-14:50 Japanese
The automotive industry is at a major turning point amid global efforts to decarbonize the industry. The development of electric vehicles (EVs) has expanded the range of options available, and the global EV penetration rate is increasing.
In Japan, the share of EV sales is growing, especially for personal cars, and there is also a need to expand the introduction of chargers, which are ancillary infrastructure. At the same time, commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks, which are used more for hard use than personal cars, have not been converted to EVs, and this poses a challenge for EV adoption in the mobility field as a whole.
In this session, we will discuss the potential of EVs, including the latest trends in global mobility as well as corporate initiatives in the EV infrastructure field.
Presentation of Joint Proposal on Urban Challenges by University Students from Yokohama and Abroad: Resilience in Informal Settlements
GREEN STAGE15:00-16:00 English
Yokohama City University (YCU) has continuously participated in the Asia Smart City Conference organized by the City of Yokohama. In this session, YCU students will present the results of their joint proposal on urban solution strategy with Southeast Asian universities, which was conducted at the IACSC (International Academic Consortium for Sustainable Cities) established by YCU in September 2009. This summer (2024), YCU students had collaborated with IACSC members: University of the Philippines, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and Hasanuddin University in Indonesia, to conduct a workshop at the University of the Philippines Diliman on the theme of building resilient and safe communities in informal settlements with high disaster risk. In this session, based on the outcomes of the workshop, participating students will present their insights and proposals on resilience in informal settlements for sustainable development and city growth.
In the Front Lines - Climate Solutions and Way Forward-
BLUE STAGE15:30-17:00 English
As climate change becomes a pressing issue on a global scale, the perspective of Climate Solutions, including mitigation and adaptation measures to global warming, is essential for Asian cities to balance growth with solutions to urban issues and to promote sustainable urban development.
At last year's 12th Asia Smart Cities Conference, 44 cities and government agencies participated in a joint declaration on decarbonization. We are now moving into a phase where we can share visions and knowledge for a sustainable and green society, and work together on concrete actions.
In this session, under the theme of “Green Hub in Asia,” JICA will review the role that ODA has played in the 70th anniversary year of international cooperation and introduce JICA's efforts to further promote international cooperation in the future.
Cities, businesses, and government agencies will then discuss challenges and solutions due to climate change, and serve as a starting point for acting together toward the realization of a sustainable green society.
Designing an Urban Environment to Enhance Citizens’ Well-Being
GREEN STAGE16:15-17:15 Japanese
As Japan's smart city projects progress into the implementation phase, it is crucial that efforts in smart cities and urban design extend beyond the mere application of technology to actively enhance citizens' well-being. To better visualize the impact of these policies, the Smart City Institute has developed the Livable Well-being City Indicators, providing open access to well-being data for citizens across Japan, including Yokohama. Additionally, last year we started a collaboration with Yokohama City University to explore a critical aspect of well-being, particularly for young people: “challenges of life”, which we believe are influenced by both physical and virtual environment. How urban and virtual spaces affect well-being is a topic of growing interest internationally. In this session, we will discuss the role of public and cyber spaces in enhancing citizens' well-being, drawing on examples from Yokohama and South Korea.
Special keynote The future of alignment between the brain, Artificial Intelligence, and the global environment
GREEN STAGE10:00-10:30 Japanese
In order to take advantage of AI to carve a bright future for humankind, consideration for the global environment, including energy issues, is essential. We will consider the future of alignment (harmony) between human wellbeing and technology.
Building Livable, Green, and Resilient Cities ~ Replicable and scalable solutions from abroad ~
BLUE STAGE10:00-12:00 English
This session will bring together city leaders and urban practitioners in an exchange of insights on promoting livability, sustainability, and resilience in cities. This session will discuss key questions such as (1) What policy instruments and initiatives are cities investing in to promote the development of green and resilient cities? (2) What are the key challenges faced in the pursuit of green and resilient cities? (3) What are the different elements of livability? The session will comprise of three segments, each presenting a global case example from Indonesia, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan of pursuing green and resilient cities.
From Yokohama: The Possibilities of Semiconductor Open Innovation
GREEN STAGE10:40-11:25 Japanese
Semiconductors are indispensable for the achievement of a decarbonized society. This session will discuss the current and future prospects for open innovation in the broad-based semiconductor industry, including global trends in research and development, as well as visions for projects and consortiums promoted by leading companies in the industry.
Advances in smart cities, AI, and other technologies are expected to lead to a significant increase in the amount of data traffic and enormous power consumption worldwide. In order reduce power consumption and further develop digital technology, innovation in semiconductor miniaturization and high lamination technology is indispensable.
In this session, companies and universities promoting cutting-edge research and development in the semiconductor industry will introduce newly started projects and ongoing consortium efforts. They will talk about the possibilities of open innovation and the future of the semiconductor industry.
Yokohama's potential as Asia's circular economy hub
GREEN STAGE11:30-12:00 English & Japanese
The Minato Mirai 21 district and its surrounding areas are home to large corporate R&D and startups, international organizations, universities, and their satellite bases, and efforts to generate innovation are progressing.
On the other hand, in Yokohama, which has a population of approximately 3.37 million people, it is essential for residents to decarbonize and become circular. How can we make Yokohama a circular city that Asia can be proud of?
In this session, people who have been working on decarbonization and circularity will explore the possibilities of Yokohama.
Lectures and panel discussions on the current status and future possibilities of African businesses.
In this session, we will share knowledge of companies and other organizations active in the frontlines of African business. Topics include how they started their business in Africa, strategies for solving local problems, and efforts to build networks, relationships of trust, and to scale up their business.
Synergies of SDGs and Climate Action – Through the Network of CityNet -
BLUE STAGE13:10-15:10 English
CityNet is a non-profit international organization dedicated to improving and solving urban problems in the Asia-Pacific region, and its network covers 162 cities and organizations. CityNet operates in three clusters, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Cluster which is an intercity network to promote international cooperation to achieve the SDGs, and while the target year of 2030 for achieving the SDGs approaches, the progress on a global scale is found to be lagging behind. In particular, Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts is closely related to the achievement of other goals with synergies and is a goal for which international cooperation is essential. Under these circumstances, it is expected that local governments, as one of key actors, will contribute to the achievement of the global goals including combating climate change, by promoting their efforts related to the SDGs and climate action, and sharing their knowledge and experience internationally.
In this session, CityNet member cities and organizations, including Yokohama City, and related international organizations will introduce their knowledge and experiences on SDGs and climate action through the network of the CityNet. In addition, by discussing on the synergies between SDGs localization and climate action, further promotion of SDGs and climate action in the Asia-Pacific region, including CityNet members, is expected through strengthening the city-to-city network.
Our Future is Here ～Let’s fight climate change together!～
GREEN STAGE14:30-15:10 Japanese
From the perspective of world peace and safety, climate change and food crisis are increasingly serious threats. In order to overcome this pressing crisis and implement a sustainable future, the ideas and sensibility of innovative young people, as well as multilevel collaboration and cooperation are needed.
Taking the opportunity of the opening of GREEN×EXPO 2027, in this youth led session we will search for the optimal solution to sustain nature, people, and society together. The participants will be young people from the “Yokohama Future Generations Platform”, launched as a platform for triggering action, and the “IFAD Youth Club”, launched with the purpose of aiming at a sustainable agriculture and food system, in resonance with the mission of the U.N. specialized agency International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Young participants will share knowledge and ideas aimed at a local and global future and activities which make the best use of their sensibility, discussing about the implementation of a sustainable future through the cooperation with multi-stakeholders.
Closing session:Leading the Way to a Green Future: Role of the Asian Smart City Conference
BLUE STAGE15:20-16:30 English
It is of the utmost importance that cities take action against climate change. Addressing the issues of biodiversity, circular economy, and economic growth will start a chain reaction that leads to a new green society. For this purpose, creating an international network of cities that come together and share their knowledge is indispensable. Cities should be encouraged to collaborate with each other and expand their good practices. In this session, we will touch on these issues, unify the ASCC as a platform for Asia to communicate to the world, and set a course for the future.
