IPNEd launches MP statement calling for renewed international cooperation on education

Addressing the General Assembly, UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierres urged member states to “bring multilateralism back from the brink”.

• IPNEd has launched a new campaign that aims to renew international cooperation and solidarity dedicated to accelerating global educational progress.

• The campaign centres on an MP-led call to action which lawmakers from around the world are invited to sign.

The start of 2026 marks four years to go until 2030, the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 4 includes the global promise for inclusive, equitable, and quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

However, that promise remains critically off-track, with 272 million children still out of school, and only one in ten students achieving minimum proficiency in reading by the end of primary school.

“These are big and persistent challenges which will exceed the capacity of any single state, especially the poorest ones, to solve on their own,” said Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly, IPNEd’s Executive Director.

“But the very forms of international cooperation which are vital to addressing these challenges are under serious and sustained threat.”

“A world of fortresses”

2025 saw record cuts to development assistance from donor governments, which are projected to worsen, potentially halving education spending in some low-income countries.

In a world of growing needs, development and humanitarian assistance is vital, but it is only part of the picture. Unlocking the financial resources needed for education must include the reform of the international finance architecture, fairer lending, debt relief and sustained investment in global public goods.

“Just today [January 20th, 2026] the Prime Minister of Canada warned that a world of fortresses will be poorer, more fragile, and less sustainable. He made the case very clearly that to help solve global problems, coalitions for different issues based on common values and interests must come together,” said Mr. Nhan-O’Reilly.

A new declaration from MPs

“This initiative is a contribution to strengthening the coalition of states and peoples committed to quality education for all and to renewing the practical collaboration necessary to speed up the achievement of our pledge to ensure everyone has access to a quality education,” said Mr Nhan-O’Reilly, speaking after the statement was launched to IPNEd members.

Members of parliament can demonstrate their support for the statement by completing a simple form available in English, French, and Spanish.