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GPE Board Chair H.E. President Jakaya Kikwete
The Board of Directors of the Global Partnership for Education met from 5-7 December 2022.
The Chair opened the first in-person Board meeting in three years, recognizing how the COVID-19 pandemic, growing debt burdens, conflicts including the war in Ukraine, displacement, food insecurity and the impacts of climate change have set back progress in addressing the learning crisis. The Chair commended the Board of Directors for their commitment to the Global Partnership for Education and stressed that GPE must meet the education crisis boldly, resolutely, and expeditiously.
The Board of Directors welcomed Laura Frigenti as she attended her first Board meeting as the Chief Executive Officer of GPE. She fills the position left vacant following the departure of Alice Albright, who was appointed by the United States government to lead the Millennium Challenge Corporation. The Board of Directors also thanked Charles North for his willingness to step up and embrace the position of the Acting CEO. The Board appreciated his valuable leadership as he resumed his role as GPE’s Deputy CEO.
In her first speech to the Board of Directors, the CEO shared her vision for GPE. She pledged to bring her vast experience working in development for the World Bank, civil society, government and the private sector to realize the ambition of a quality education for every child. She emphasized the need for bold leadership and transformative change and highlighted the role of all GPE partners in mobilizing political will for education, maintaining focus on the countries and children with the greatest need. She noted that GPE has a critical role to play in helping partner countries transform education at scale, and highlighted how a strong, effective and fully funded GPE can help reverse current trends and get more children into school and learning.
The Deputy CEO updated the Board on the progress from the last six months, noting that GPE recently welcomed Ukraine among its latest members. The Deputy CEO thanked the Board of Directors for approving the first system transformation grant of US$53.3 million to Kenya, as well as a Multiplier grant, bringing the total number of grants awarded under the current model to 31. He shared some of the positive feedback that has emerged on GPE’s new approach to date, as well as noting the steps the Secretariat is taking to learn and adapt in response to partner inputs on what can be improved. The Board of Directors heard more about this in the last session on the roll-out of the operating model dealing with the critical topic of gender.
The Board of Directors approved the decision to extend GPE’s strategic initiatives – Knowledge Innovation and Exchange (KIX) and Education Out Loud (EOL) – and received updates on the 2022 Results Report, risk management, GPE’s financial position and the status of GPE grants.
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GPE Board Chair H.E. President Jakaya Kikwete