Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has for continuing engagement on the Platform for Girls’ Education when the role of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office is handed over to Rwanda in June 2021.

Girls' education continues to be a top priority for the UK, and at CHOGM 2021 we will encourage Commonwealth member states to continue their commitment to providing the opportunity for 12 years of quality education and learning for all girls and boys by 2030. We will use our G7 Presidency and CHOGM this year to rally the international community in stepping up support for girls' education, and will co-host the Global Education Summit: Financing GPE 2021-2025, with Kenya.

The Foreign Secretary has been proud to co-chair the Platform for Girls' Education with Kenyan Minister Amina Mohamed, while the UK has been Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth. The Platform has issued policy papers that have been well-received by the international community, focusing on girls' education in the Commonwealth, gender-responsive education sector plans, and the importance of political leadership in driving change for girls' education. The papers included recommendations for action by policymakers and governments, which the Platform Members have promoted.