Washington, DC, June 17, 2020 – Switzerland has increased its 2020 contribution to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) by CHF 6.5 million (US$6.75 million).

“I am grateful to Switzerland for their increased contribution to GPE, which will help us realize our mission to transform education for millions of children in developing countries,” said Julia Gillard, GPE Board Chair. “At a time when 1.2 billion children are out of school due to COVID-19, it is more important than ever that we invest in resilient education systems that can reach the most marginalized children. We count on the ongoing support of the Swiss government to help ensure that every girl and boy receives a quality education.”

At GPE’s 2018 pledging conference, Switzerland pledged CHF 33,250,000 (US$34.5 million) for the period 2018-2020. The increased contribution brings the total Swiss contribution to CHF 39,750,000 (US$41.3 million) for this period.

“For the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, education is essential to alleviate poverty, and to foster economic development and peaceful and inclusive societies. It is a cornerstone of Agenda 2030. Investments in the education sector are key in our attempts to leave no one behind,“ says Ambassador Thomas Gass, Head of SDC’s Development Cooperation. “The impact COVID-19 has on countries’ education systems is worrying and risks long-term social and economic consequences if not addressed – enhanced commitment for education is necessary, now more than ever. Switzerland is proud of being a long-term partner of the Global Partnership for Education.”

Switzerland joined GPE in 2009 and has since contributed more than US$84 million to improve education for the world’s most vulnerable children. Through the Swiss Development Cooperation Agency, Switzerland is an active member of the Board’s Grants and Performance Committee, and shares a GPE Board constituency seat with Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

The Global Partnership for Education supports close to 70 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 recently stepped up its response to COVID-19 with a US$500 million emergency fund to help developing countries respond to the immediate and long-term disruptions to education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.