Former President Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete has held high-level talks with former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on strengthening global efforts to expand access to quality early childhood and primary education through the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). 

The meeting took place in Seoul during Dr Kikwete’s recent official visit to South Korea in his capacity as Chair of the GPE Board. The visit is aimed at deepening cooperation between GPE, the Government of South Korea and development partners across East Asia, particularly South Korea and Japan. 

During the discussions, Dr Kikwete commended Ban Ki-moon for his continued leadership through The Ban Ki-moon Foundation and the Ban Ki-moon Foundation for a Better Future in promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 4 on quality education, SDG 13 on climate action and SDG 17 on global partnerships. 

Dr Kikwete also thanked Ban Ki-moon for supporting stronger collaboration between GPE and South Korea, which has contributed US$20 million to GPE since 2015. 

Ban Ki-moon reaffirmed his foundation’s commitment to working closely with GPE, the Korean Government and international partners to improve educational opportunities for vulnerable children worldwide, stressing that education remains the key to unlocking every child’s future.