Promoting the “ASEAN Eco-schools 2025” Movement with the theme of zero plastic waste

On September 19th in Hanoi, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment held the Launch Ceremony for the ASEAN Eco-schools Award Vietnam 2025 and the Dialogue “Schools Without Plastic Waste: Action for a Green Generation”. This activity responds to the United Nations’ call to end plastic pollution and promote the building of a sustainable school environment.

Scene of the launch ceremony [Photo: mae.gov.vn]

The ASEAN Eco-schools Award is implemented within the framework of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Environment, aiming to honor educational institutions with outstanding achievements in environmental education and practices.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Le Cong Thanh stated that schools are not only places of teaching but also places that shape the character, awareness, and responsibility of the younger generation towards society and the environment. He urged schools from primary to high school to actively participate in the award, share experiences, and replicate green school models. According to the Deputy Minister, students play a central role in the environmental protection movement. They not only take concrete actions such as saving energy, reducing plastic waste, sorting waste, and planting trees, but also become “green ambassadors,” spreading the message of environmental protection to their families, friends, and communities.

Genesis Secondary School (Hanoi) is a prime example, having won first prize in the ASEAN Eco-Small School category in 2024. Principal Phan Anh stated that the award is both a source of pride and a motivation for teachers and students to continue nurturing green ideas in teaching and learning.

This year’s award is jointly organized by the Agriculture and Environment Newspaper, with the support of the Green Future Fund (Vingroup) as a strategic sponsor. With widespread participation from schools across the country, the ASEAN Eco-School Award 2025 is expected to contribute to the formation of green living habits right from the school level, aiming towards a bright, green, clean, and beautiful Vietnam.