Empowering new generation of biodiversity champions in Vietnam

The Phuc Son Secondary School in Phuc Son Commune was filled with excitement last Thursday, 7 November 2024 as 530 children gathered for a series of fun games around biodiversity and wildlife conservation.  

The ‘Ring the Golden Bell’ event was organized by the Save Vietnam’s Wildlife as part of the EU Green Diplomacy Weeks in ASEAN 2024. The EU Green Diplomacy Week is one of the EU’s global campaigns to promote cooperation on climate change and inspire meaningful action.   

This annual event has evolved into a significant occasion where the EU and its Member States host a series of events worldwide, fostering dialogue and collaboration on climate issues. These events serve as a platform to showcase successful sustainability initiatives and motivate further green actions.  

The event also saw the participation of teachers, parents, and representatives from the Department of Education and Training of Anh Son District, Youth Union officials, the Commune Youth Union and Pu Mat National Park.  

Save Vietnam’s Wildlife is a national non-profit organization aiming to protect wildlife habitats in Vietnam. The organization was also one of the finalists of the EU Youth Sustainable Project Competition 2022 – one of the EU’s annual flagship competitions for young people in ASEAN to showcase their projects in various sectors. 

"The European Union is committed to supporting our partners in their respective green transitions, including ASEAN Member States,” said the EU Ambassador to ASEAN, H.E. Sujiro Seam. “This event shows our commitment to continue working together with ASEAN towards a greener sustainable and inclusive future. It is an opportunity to encourage and motivate individuals, communities, and organizations to take stronger actions – to protect, preserve and restore our environment, for now and for future generations,” he added. 

“Over the years, ASEAN has demonstrated commitment to addressing climate change, including through multisectoral dialogue and relevant activities involving key partners across various sectors”, said Jihan Abdul Rahman, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Brunei Darussalam to ASEAN, as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations.   

She highlighted the establishment of the ASEAN Center for Climate Change to facilitate regional climate change coordination and cooperation across Southeast Asia, and added that “by emphasizing climate action, such as sustainable transport, eliminating pollution, and ensuring a just transition for all, ASEAN, in collaboration with our valuable partners including the EU, can build a more resilient region better prepared to withstand the impacts of climate change.”