Policy Updates

On September 23, 2026, during UN High-Level Week, Ireland's Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, announced EUR40 million (US$47 million) in funding to the GPE, to be disbursed from 2026 to 2030.

Richmond made the announcement in his capacity as Ireland held the Presidency of the Council of the EU. He framed the pledge as part of a broader Team Europe commitment to global education, and said that investing in education was among the most effective ways to reduce poverty, promote equality, and support sustainable development.

The Gates Foundation pledged at least US$1 billion over two years on September 15, 2026, to expand access to (AI) in health, education, agriculture, and digital equity, coinciding with the launch of its 2026 Goalkeepers Report.

The pledge came as the Gates Foundation released its annual Goalkeepers Report, which this edition centered on AI access and equity. Philanthropist Bill Gates framed the moment as a critical window to determine whether AI would primarily benefit those already advantaged or reach the most marginalized populations.

Gates had previously warned in a widely circulated essay that AI posed significant risks, including the potential to widen global inequality. The 2026 Goalkeepers Report reflected both that concern and the foundation's intent to act on it. Gates argued that AI could either serve as the greatest equalizer ever invented or deepen existing injustice.

The US$1 billion commitment represented the foundation's effort to steer AI development toward equitable outcomes, with investments directed across four sectors: health, education, agriculture, and digital equity.

On August 20, 2026, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali Radovan announced Germany’s EUR100 million (US$116 million) contribution to ECW, which aimed through Hope Starts Here to mobilize US$600 million over four years to provide safe, quality education to 10 million children and adolescents affected by crises.

Alabali Radovan said education expanded opportunities, dignity, and life prospects, and that cooperation among governments and partners could reach millions more children. Germany remains ECW’s largest donor, while the contribution reinforces the country’s commitment to education during crises through the BMZ.

On June 11, 2026, Canada announced CAD5 million (US$3.5 million) over four years to Right To Play International to expand play- and sport-based basic education for children and youth across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, with programming expected to reach around 60,000 children and youth, as well as coaches, teachers, and community facilitators.

Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai announced the funding in Toronto on the International Day of Play ahead of Canada’s first FIFA World Cup 2026 match. Canada said the investment supported the No Child on the Sidelines project, implemented by Right To Play International in collaboration with Global Citizen, to strengthen locally led education programming for children and youths in LMICs.

The funding also supports subgrants to civil society organizations to scale and sustain community-based programming that promote learning, protection, and well-being. Canada said the investment aligns with the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund campaign, which aims to mobilize US$100 million for education and sport-based learning globally, and would help leverage additional financing and partnerships.

On May 14, 2026, German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan announced Germany’s EUR100 million (US$115 million) pledge to Education Cannot Wait to support education programs for children and young people affected by war, displacement, and disasters.

Alabali Radovan announced the pledge via video message at the Global Citizen Festival in New York. Alabali Radovan said the right to education applied in times of crisis and war and said education helped protect children and young people from exploitation and violence and supported peace and sustainable development.

On January 16, 2026, German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan launched the School Meals Accelerator alongside WFP, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The partnership aims to provide 100 million children worldwide with access to healthy school meals and education by 2030.

The partnership will support school meal programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Moreover, it will provide national governments with knowledge, advice, and support to independently develop and finance school nutrition programs. The initiative will prioritize home-grown school meal programs, where schools source food directly from local producers to create jobs and income in local communities.

The partnership is embedded in a global support network of more than 100 countries and 150 partner organizations. The launch formed part of Germany's development policy commitment to global food security through the overarching BMZ initiative "Secure Nutrition – Strong for Life," which focuses on children's nutrition.

On January 7, 2026, US President Donald Trump ordered the US to withdraw from 66 international organizations, including 31 UN entities, cutting funding to organizations deemed contrary to US interests and alarming allies concerned about Washington's retreat from multilateralism.

Trump signed a presidential memorandum instructing all US government agencies and departments to cease participating in and funding 35 non- UN organizations and 31 UN entities. The White House stated the withdrawals would end US taxpayer funding and involvement in entities that advance globalist agendas over US priorities. The list of affected entities included:

• ECW;
• the IDLO;
• UNFPA;
• UNFCCC;
• IPCC;
• UNDESA;
• UNDEF; and
• UNCTAD.

The decision made no reference to major UN humanitarian agencies, including the IOM, the WFP, UN Human Rights, or UNICEF, though all faced severe US budget cuts during the past year. The announcement followed a February 4, 2025 presidential order directing a review of all international intergovernmental organizations.

On September 11, 2025, Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Dr. Musalia Mudavadi and South Korean Ambassador His Excellency Kang Hyung-Shik met in Nairobi to reaffirm their countries' partnership, focusing on enhancing cooperation in trade, innovation, and green growth.

Mudavadi highlighted Korea's contribution to Kenya's development in sectors including ICT, education, and agriculture. Key joint projects include the Konza Digital Media City, the Kenya-AIST, and the recently established International Vaccine Institute offices at the Konza Technopolis.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary underscored Kenya's commitment to enhancing cooperation in labor mobility, energy, and climate change action. He welcomed Korea’s support through KOICA projects and the planned opening of the Korea Exim Bank in Nairobi. Both officials committed to deepening cooperation in green economy initiatives, with Kenya expressing interest in joining the Global Green Growth Institute.

On July 28, 2025, Norway announced a contribution of NOK200 million (US$20 million) to support the Palestinian government in paying public employee salaries amid a severe economic crisis.

The announcement came as Norweigan Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide attended a UN conference on the two-state solution. The funds are intended to help sustain essential services such as healthcare and education. The economic crisis has been exacerbated by the war in Gaza and Israel’s withholding of Palestinian tax revenues, which, according to Palestinian authorities, amount to NOK28 billion (US$2.7 billion) since October 2023.

The contribution brings Norway's total support to Palestine in 2025 to more than NOK1.1 billion (US$109 million).

On July 22, 2025, the US announced its decision to withdraw from UNESCO, citing concerns over the agency's perceived anti-Israel bias and promotion of divisive causes.

The US State Department stated the withdrawal, effective December 2026, was due to UNESCO's agenda and its admission of Palestine as a member state. This marks the third time the US has left the agency, having last rejoined in 2023 after a 2018 departure under the previous Trump administration. The US first left in 1984 due to security concerns around the Soviet Union before rejoining in 2003.

Alongside its cultural programming, UNESCO supports a number of education, SRHR education, literacy, clean water, and gender equality initiatives. It also helps set standards for ocean protection and AI ethics and protect cultural heritage and education in conflict zones.

UNESCO’s Director-General Audrey Azoulay noted her regret over the decision but stated it was anticipated. She denied the accusations of anti-Israel bias, pointing to the agency's work on Holocaust education and fighting antisemitism. Azoulay noted that the reasons cited by the US were the same as cited in the previous departure, despite significant changes and reduced political tensions within the organization.

The withdrawal will impact UNESCO's budget, as the US contributes 8% of its funding. However, the agency has diversified its funding sources and stated that it does not anticipate any immediate staff layoffs.