Green Blue Education Forum 2026 Overview

The Green Blue Education Forum 2026 (GBEF2026), organized by the Green Blue Education Forum Executive Committee (Chair: Noriko Ishizaka, President of Ishizaka Inc.) and co-hosted by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2026, at Muromachi Mitsui Hall & Conference in Chuo City, Tokyo.

GBEF2026 is open to the public and will feature a variety of programs, including the GBEF Contest, panel discussions, and participatory workshops. The GBEF Contest recognizes outstanding proposals on the theme “The Environment We Wish to Preserve, the Future We Wish to Create” submitted by children, pupils, and students under the age of 25 residing in Japan.

About the Forum

As awareness of planetary boundaries and the limits of Earth’s resources continues to grow, there is an increasing need for solutions that enable nature, people, and society to thrive together sustainably. In this context, the conservation of rich ecosystems encompassing forests, villages, rivers, and seas, opportunities for experiences that engage all five senses, and learning through dialogue among diverse stakeholders have become increasingly important.

Since its inception, the Forum has been organized by the Green Blue Education Forum Executive Committee, centered on the “Taiken-no-Kikai-no-Ba” Research Organization (*1), with the aim of providing young people with a platform to present the ideas they wish to realize and the activities they are already undertaking. The Forum seeks to discover future leaders who will help shape local communities and inspire innovative initiatives that engage a broad range of people.

At GBEF2025, which was held as part of the “World Play and Learn Summit”, a signature event of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, 114 teams from more than 35 prefectures across Japan submitted applications. Approximately 100 young participants attended the event, demonstrating the Forum’s role as a place where youth from across the country can gather, learn, and connect.

Now in its seventh year, GBEF2026 will be held under the theme “The Environment We Wish to Preserve, the Future We Wish to Create.” Through experiential learning, the Forum aims to identify and recognize next-generation leaders who think independently and take action. As a pre-event for GREEN×EXPO 2027, GBEF2026 will offer young people a platform to share their visions for the future of nature and the environment.

By encouraging participants to recognize that each individual has the power to help shape the future of our planet, the Forum aspires to inspire the message:
“Color Our Planet Together.”
and create opportunities that encourage the next step toward meaningful action.

GBEF2026 Event Information

Date & Time: September 6, 2026 (Sat) 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Venue:
Muromachi Mitsui Hall & Conference
2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo

Program (Tentative)

Organizers

Organizer:
Green Blue Education Forum Executive Committee
(within the “Taiken-no-Kikai-no-Ba” Research Organization)
Co-Organizer:
Ministry of the Environment, Japan
Supporters:
• Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
• Saitama Prefecture, Japan
• Japanese National Commission for UNESCO
Sponsors:
<EARTH Supporters>
• Ishizaka Inc.
• Kayama Kogyo Co., Ltd.
<FOREST Supporters>
• Daiwa Lease Co., Ltd.
• PARADOX Corp.
<BLOOM Supporters>
• Public and Park Relationship Cross Association
• GUNZE LIMITED
• Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU)
<SEED Supporters>
• mapry Co., LTD.
• TATSUNO CORPORATION
• FUJI CLEAN

(Listed in Japanese alphabetical order; as of July 10, 2026.)

*For more information about GBEF2026, please visit the official website.

Application for the GBEF Contest

Applications for the GBEF Contest opened on May 12, 2026 (Tue) and will remain open until August 3, 2026 (Mon).
For details regarding eligibility, application guidelines, and submission procedures, please visit the official website.

*1) The “Taiken-no-Kikai-no-Ba” Research Organization, is a voluntary organization established by businesses certified by prefectural governors and other authorities as providers of officially recognized experiential learning opportunities. The organization was created to further enhance experiential learning programs from a private-sector perspective. It currently has 21 member organizations and, in October 2022, signed an agreement with the Ministry of the Environment to promote and expand experiential learning opportunities under the Act on the Promotion of Environmental Conservation Activities through Environmental Education.
“Taiken-no-Kikai-no-Ba” Research Organization Official Website