New York City, September 23, 2026 — Global leaders rallied today behind the Multiply Possibility campaign at a high-level event convened by Italy, Nigeria and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) at the UN General Assembly. The campaign aims to mobilize partnerships and financing for education as the world confronts a deepening learning crisis, with 270 million children and young people out of school.
The financing announced today includes $2.1 billion in confirmed and anticipated pledges from sovereign donors to GPE, reaffirming confidence in GPE’s unique model and its ability to strengthen education systems, improve learning and deliver results at scale for children.
The campaign also mobilized an initial $1.4 billion in co-financing commitments, including $1 billion from development finance institutions and $400 million from a growing coalition of philanthropic and private sector partners. These resources can be leveraged alongside GPE grants, unlocking on average $4 in additional financing for every $1 of GPE resources and providing catalytic capital to partner countries at a time of mounting pressure on public budgets.
Meanwhile, GPE partner countries announced $471 billion in domestic education financing commitments, a 32 percent increase in spending by 2030. They also made plans to use education budgets more efficiently, ensure resources reach the children with the greatest needs, and build resilience to shocks. GPE works with partner governments to sustainably increase domestic financing, so they can increasingly drive progress through national resources.
“Quality education is the pathway to inclusive growth and lasting peace,“ said NigerianPresident Bola Ahmed Tinubu, co-host of GPE’s Multiply Possibility campaign. “By funding the Global Partnership for Education, we empower dynamic and youthful nations like Nigeria to break down the barriers that keeps our children, especially our girls, out of school and away from learning, so they can achieve their full potential.”
“Education is not a side chapter of development. It is the foundation upon which every other ambition is built — jobs, dignity, prosperity,” said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, co-host of GPE’s Multiply Possibility campaign. “Together, we have an opportunity to improve education for 750 million children by 2030. That is why Italy will double its contribution to GPE for the 2026-2030 cycle.”
The high-level event was co-chaired by the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani together with Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima. The Minister of Education of Nigeria, Dr. Tunji Alausa delivered closing remarks alongside Minister of Education and Merit of Italy, Giuseppe Valditara.
The Multiply Possibility campaign comes at a time when many education systems are already underfunded and under strain from climate shocks, population growth, fragility and economic uncertainty. Lower-income countries face the urgent task of getting more children learning while equipping a new generation with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a world being reshaped by climate change and artificial intelligence.
“Everything we value — health, peace, equality, opportunity — begins in a classroom,” said Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and co-founder of Malala Fund. “GPE works precisely because of this partnership: countries pooling their resources to go farther than they could on their own.”
The commitments made today provide an important foundation for GPE to begin turning its 2026-2030 strategy into results for children across partner countries, with more pledges to the campaign expected.
“GPE shows what is possible when we act together. But today is not the end of our effort,” said Jakaya Kikwete, GPE Board Chair and former President of the United Republic of Tanzania. “We must keep mobilizing the political will, partnerships and resources needed to multiply possibility for every child, everywhere. If we fail to act, we fail a generation ready to learn and to lead.”
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About the Global Partnership for Education
GPE is a shared commitment to ending the world’s learning crisis. We mobilize partners and funds to support over 90 lower-income countries to transform their education systems so that every girl and boy can get the quality education they need to unlock their full potential and contribute to building a better world.
00:00–01:16
Various shots of Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Malala Fund co-founder, speaking
01:16–01:47
Kashim Shettima, vice president of Nigeria, speaking
01:47–02:02
Antonio Tajani, Italian deputy prime minister and foreign minister, speaking
02:02–02:16
Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Danish foreign minister, speaking
02:16–02:30
Reem Alabali Radovan, German minister for economic cooperation and development, speaking
02:30–02:38
Randeep Sarai, Canadian secretary of state for international development, speaking
02:38–03:16
Jozef Síkela, European commissioner for international partnerships, speaking
03:16–03:24
Neale Richmond, Irish minister for international development and diaspora, speaking
03:24–03:36
Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, president of the OPEC Fund for International Development, speaking
03:36–04:30
Various of delegates applauding, shaking hands and talking; wide shots of conference chamber
23 September 2026
