At the end of a 3-day summit in Carbis Bay, UK, G7 leaders issued a communiqué on their top priorities, among which they recognized education as a “foundation for success in an ever changing world.”

The communiqué notes that G7 countries “will harness the power of democracy, freedom, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights to answer the biggest questions and overcome the greatest challenges. We will do this in a way that values the individual and promotes equality, especially gender equality, including by supporting a target to get 40 million more girls into education and with at least $2¾ billion for the Global Partnership for Education. “

The two new targets on girls’ education had been announced by G7 foreign and development ministers at their meeting in early May:

• 40 million more girls in school by 2026 in low and lower middle-income countries, and
• 20 million more girls reading by age 10 or the end of primary school by 2026 in low and lower middle-income countries. *

The G7 countries recognized that “These targets should be underpinned by sustainable financing and so today G7 members commit to a combined total pledge of at least $2¾ billion funding over the next 5 years for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) ahead of its replenishment in July. We call on others to join with the G7 and make ambitious pledges to a fully funded GPE.”

The leadership of the United Kingdom to place gender equality and girls' education prominently on the world's development agenda will help ensure that millions of girls will be able to achieve their full potential in the years to come.

GPE is currently calling on world leaders to “Raise Your Hand” and pledge at least $5 billion for the next five years to help GPE transform education in up to 90 countries and territories, which are home to more than 1 billion children.