Sigrid Kaag Takes the Helm of Education Cannot Wait to Drive Global Education Efforts

Sigrid Kaag Joins Education Cannot Wait as New Chair

On April 3, 2025, Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund designed to address education needs in emergencies and protracted crises, announced the appointment of Sigrid Kaag from the Netherlands as the new chair of its high-level steering committee. This leadership change is expected to bolster ECW’s global efforts to mobilize resources for the education of children living in the midst of some of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

In her new role, Kaag aims to advocate strongly for increasing political will and funding for education in emergency situations. As global leaders struggle to fulfill the promise of universal education as outlined in the Pact for the Future and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Kaag underscores the urgency of ensuring that education remains accessible to all children, regardless of circumstances.

"Education Cannot Wait and its strategic partners transform the lives of millions of girls and boys impacted by armed conflicts, forced displacement, and climate-induced disasters. Our investment in their right to quality education is our shared responsibility and is the best investment towards economic resilience, global security, and sustainable development," Kaag stated following her appointment.

Under her leadership, ECW will seek to implement a four-year strategy that involves collaboration with donors, member states, the private sector, UN organizations, and civil society to raise USD 1.5 billion. The goal is to reach 20 million crisis-affected children, providing them the safety, hope, and access to quality education.

The demand for education support has become more urgent than ever. When ECW was founded in 2016 under the guidance of The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, it was estimated that approximately 75 million children in crisis situations needed educational assistance. That number has now skyrocketed to nearly a quarter of a billion children in need, indicating the significant gap and the escalating demand for support.

Kaag emphasized that the journey towards achieving accessible education for all is a collective responsibility that requires sustained and enhanced support from both public and private sector donors. She acknowledged the achievements of ECW, which has already reached over 11 million children and aims to expand this outreach further.

Reflecting on her predecessor’s contributions, Kaag thanked Gordon Brown for his visionary leadership, transforming ECW from its infancy into a billion-dollar global fund. She expressed her commitment to continuing his legacy, stating, "I look forward to working with the high-level steering committee and the director to carry on his remarkable work."

Brown himself, who served as the chair of ECW's high-level steering committee from 2016 to 2024, will continue his important role as a UN Secretary-General's Global Education Advocate, focusing on global education challenges.

With her extensive international experience in political, humanitarian, and development affairs, along with a passion for advocating for children and displaced youth, Kaag is seen as exceptionally qualified to lead ECW in its mission. In 2025, she was appointed interim UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. She previously held significant positions in the Dutch government, including being the first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, demonstrating her proven track record in leadership and advocacy.

As ECW moves forward with Kaag at the helm, the organization is poised to expand its impact further and continue its essential work in providing life-changing educational opportunities for children caught in crises around the world. The high-level steering committee will offer strategic guidance to ECW’s operations, working with heads of UN organizations, humanitarian leaders, and representatives from the private sector to advance its mission and commitment to education in emergencies.

In a world where education can often be a privilege rather than a right, the leadership of Sigrid Kaag could be a turning point in the journey toward ensuring every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to quality education. As the challenges continue, the eyes of the global community will be on ECW and its new chair, as they strive to achieve the vital educational goals set forth for the world's youth.