The Middle East launch of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Case for Investment will take place on April 6 at 12:00 AST in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank and Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

 

This will be a key milestone in GPE’s “Raise Your Hand” campaign which aims to secure at least $5 billion to help transform education in 90 lower-income countries and territories which are home to one billion children. The campaign will culminate on July 28-29 in London at a landmark summit to finance GPE, co-hosted by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta.

 

With a deeply rooted tradition of generosity, Gulf countries have played a vital role in supporting education systems in lower-income countries.

 

As Covid-19 hollows out entire economies and worsens the global education crisis, GPE’s financing campaign is a unique opportunity to create systemic changes to education systems and provide the most vulnerable children with a chance to learn.

 

The launch of GPE’s Case for Investment in the Middle East will feature a virtual event including remarks by high-level dignitaries from GCC countries along with other senior officials representing their development funds. The launch event comes as part of a three-day visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Serigne Mbaye Thiam, Minister for Water and Sanitation of Senegal and Vice-Chair of GPE’s Board of Directors, and Dr Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares and GPE Regional Champion. 

 

Dr Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares and GPE Regional Champion commented: “The launch of the Global Partnership for Education’s Case for Investment in the Middle East comes at a time when the world is grappling with a major learning crisis that can only be addressed through sustained funding and support. We are pleased to collaborate with the Global Partnership for Education to further enhance the momentum that has been created with the “Raise Your Hand” campaign and remain committed in our efforts to advocate for education financing and investment in the region and beyond.”

 

Islamic Development Bank President, Dr. Bandar Al Hajjar, asserted: “The combined impact of school closures and economic hardship could push millions of vulnerable children out of education, thereby reversing decades of hard-won gains and negatively impacting on our fight against poverty. To mitigate the impact on the most vulnerable children, the GPE replenishment campaign is an opportune moment for the IsDB and the Arab donors to step up and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling the fundamental right of every child to quality education. Our joint commitment to invest in quality education now will help shape the future ahead.”

 

Thiam said: “GPE’s replenishment is a major opportunity for Middle East leaders to prioritise transformative investments in education. Through the Middle East launch of the Case for Investment, we hope to unlock education’s global potential to boost mutual respect, strengthen social cohesion, generate prosperity and build more inclusive education systems that leave no one behind. Our aim of raising at least $5 billion will be a major step towards creating more inclusive education systems that support the most vulnerable children.” -- Tradearabia News Service