This past week, the GCE-US team joined partners, advocates, policymakers, and education leaders in New York for the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81). At a time when international development funding faces significant challenges, the week offered an encouraging reminder of the power of collective advocacy and the enduring importance of education.
A major highlight was the successful replenishment of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), which mobilized $3.5 billion to help expand access to quality education and strengthen education systems around the world. The outcome demonstrated strong global support for education and reinforced the message that investing in learning remains one of the most effective ways to build more prosperous, equitable, and resilient societies.
GCE-US members were highly engaged throughout UNGA 81, hosting and participating in a wide range of events that elevated the importance of education on the global agenda. Among them was The World’s Best Investment: Why Education Matters Now, co-hosted by GCE-US member Street Child, as well as several discussions and convenings at Education House.
The week also saw the announcement of the first-ever Global Early Years Finance Summit, an important milestone in advancing investment and political commitment for early childhood development. Together, these events helped advance critical conversations around education financing, learning outcomes, and access for the world’s most marginalized learners.
Beyond the formal events, GCE-US members including American Jesuits International, United World Schools USA, Building Tomorrow, DRPC, and the mEducation Alliance joined us for an informal gathering focused on strengthening relationships, sharing priorities, and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
As UNGA 81 comes to a close, we leave New York encouraged by the commitments made, the conversations sparked, and the partnerships strengthened throughout the week. While much work remains ahead, the momentum generated at UNGA reinforces a shared belief across our coalition: education must remain at the center of global efforts to build a more equitable and sustainable future.
