Senegal and France to host Global Partnership for Education Financing Conference

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) is delighted that the governments of Senegal and France will co-host its financing conference, which will take place on February 8, 2018 in Dakar, Senegal.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d3003cff-ee20-409f-9729-9a9cef1d4d3e

A video accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0a7eebb6-66b3-438b-904e-efeff83d94cf

The announcement of the co-hosting was made by Presidents Macky Sall of Senegal and Emmanuel Macron of France at a high-level event on education financing held at the United Nations, which was attended by Secretary General António Guterres, several heads of state and leaders on global education.

" The Global Partnership for Education has   made substantial investments in education helping to get 72 million more children into primary school since 2002, including in Senegal,"  President Macky Sall  said . "We are honored to host the next GPE Financing Conference in Dakar and look forward to continuing our close partnership with GPE."

This is the first time a donor and developing country co-host a GPE financing conference, symbolizing the spirit of true partnership, which is the essence of GPE.

President Macron of France  stressed that one of his top priorities is to invest in education. " I call on the international community to join us in February 2018 in Dakar for the Global Partnership for Education Financing Conference, which France will co-host with Senegal ,"  Macron  said.

"The financing conference of the Global Partnership for Education is an opportunity for a much needed step change, allowing donors and developing countries to show their financial commitment to education,"  said  Julia Gillard, GPE Board Chair . " Senegal and France jointly hosting the GPE financing conference demonstrates the determination of both governments to help GPE expand its support for strong and sustainable education systems in developing countries. "

The event in Dakar will bring together donor and developing country governments, the private sector, philanthropic foundations, civil society and international organizations to announce commitments to support education in developing countries.

" This is an exciting and pivotal moment for GPE and for global education," said  Alice Albright, GPE Chief Executive Officer . " This financing conference will put GPE on track to become a  US$2 billion-a-year operation by 2020 . At that level, GPE can have a far greater impact on providing better  quality education  to the world's children."

GPE's financing conference seeks to raise US$3.1 billion for 2018 through 2020 to support the education of 870 million children in 89 developing countries that are home to 78% of the world's out-of-school population.

Currently, 264 million children and youth around the world are not in school and six out of ten children and youth, a total of 617 million, are in school but not learning at the level they need to break the bonds of poverty, poor health and social disadvantage. Though the share of overseas development aid to education has declined over the last six years, leaders around the world are now recognizing the urgency of turning that trend around.

France has been a donor to GPE since 2005. With GPE support since 2006, Senegal has shown great progress raising its investment in education as a share of domestic spending to 24 percent.

" Both France and Senegal are ideally positioned to urge other countries across the globe to increase investments in education ,"  Ms. Gillard  added. " We believe that will make for a successful and productive financing conference and ultimately benefit hundreds of millions of children in some of the poorest countries around the world ."

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Leaders' Statement

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The  Global Partnership for Education (GPE)  works with developing countries to ensure that every child receives a quality basic education, prioritizing the poorest, the most vulnerable and those living in countries affected by fragility or conflict. GPE mobilizes financing for education and supports developing countries to build effective education systems founded on evidence-based planning and policies.

GPE's support has achieved the following results in its partner countries:

• 72 million more children in primary school in 2015 compared with 2002
• 76% of children in GPE partner countries completed primary school in 2015 compared to 63% in 2002.
• 74% primary school completion rate for girls in 2015 compared with 57% in 2002
• 78% of GPE partner countries have maintained their education budget at or above 20% of public expenditure, or increased their education budget in 2015.

Media contact:

Alexandra Humme, ahumme@gloalpartnership.org; Tel: 202-492 8890