The ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Education (AWGEE) plays a key role in coordinating environmental education policies and initiatives among ASEAN Member States (AMS) and ASEAN Partners. AWGEE supports the aspirations of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) through the implementation of regional action plans, sharing of best practices, and collaborative efforts to enhance environmental awareness in line with ASEAN’s sustainable development goals.

The 17^th AWGEE Meeting was held from 2 to 3 July 2025 in the Philippines, as the Host Country, and was chaired by Cambodia. The meeting was attended by representatives from AMS, ASEAN Partners, and the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC). The Malaysian delegation was led by Puan Hajah Azuri Azizah binti Haji Saedon, Director of the Strategic Communication Division (BKS), Department of Environment (DOE), and accompanied by Puan Roslina binti Diwa, Principal Assistant Director, BKS.

During the meeting, the Malaysian delegation presented updates on the ongoing project to review and enhance the existing ASEAN Guidelines on Eco-Schools. The project is implemented in collaboration with an ASEAN Partner, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), with support from ASEC and AMS under the framework of AWGEE. The project commenced with a Kick-Off and Coordination Meeting at the end of June 2025. The initial outputs of the project are scheduled to be shared with AMS through a regional workshop to be held in Malaysia in September 2025.

As part of the AWGEE program, a working visit was conducted to the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park in Manila, where two (2) schools, Rosa Susano Elementary School and Muntinlupa National High School shared their experiences related to the National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools. Through this visit and knowledge-sharing session, the Malaysian delegation had the opportunity to learn about and better understand the environmental efforts and programs implemented in the Philippines. The AWGEE delegates also toured the Wetland Center Museum.

AWGEE continues to serve as a vital platform for Malaysia in strengthening the integration of environmental education at both national and regional levels, in alignment with ASEAN’s shared aspirations for sustainable environmental management.