Global Partnerships Conference, London, 19–20 May 2026
Circle these dates: 19–20 May 2026. London will host the Global Partnerships Conference, a big‑tent meeting where governments, DFIs, philanthropies, businesses and civil society try to agree how to fund and deliver answers to shared global problems. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to co‑host. This is billed as a more modern way to work together across borders. (gov.uk)
Unusually, the co‑hosts span the public, private and philanthropic worlds: the UK and the Republic of South Africa, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and British International Investment (BII). That mix signals the core idea-pair public authority with capital and know‑how to move from statements to real projects. (bond.org.uk)
Why now? The UK government argues that shocks abroad-prices, supply chains, conflict and extreme weather-show up at home, so cooperation must mobilise investment and back country leadership, not just write cheques. Ministers have framed the shift as thinking like an investor rather than a donor. (committees.parliament.uk)
Quick definition you can use in class: a development finance institution (DFI) is a government‑backed investor that takes more risk than commercial banks to support businesses and infrastructure in lower‑income countries, while aiming to earn returns it can reinvest. The UK’s DFI is BII. (bii.co.uk)
Who’s who on finance: British International Investment is led by Leslie Maasdorp, appointed chief executive in January 2025 after senior roles at the New Development Bank. Expect BII to emphasise climate, jobs and locally led growth during the summit. (bii.co.uk)
Where does philanthropy fit? CIFF’s chief executive Kate Hampton has been clear: private giving can work alongside governments and development banks-but it cannot replace what states must do. That principle should guide how we read any funding headlines in May. (gov.uk)
Context you’ll hear in classrooms and committee rooms alike: the UK aid budget is planned at 0.3% of national income from 2027, and ministers have described today’s lower level as the “new normal”. That pressure helps explain the focus on mobilising private capital. (theguardian.com)
Civil society is already setting tests. Bond-the UK network for NGOs-welcomes the conference, but urges organisers to centre locally led priorities and give Global Majority countries and grassroots groups real power over the agenda, not just a seat in the room. (bond.org.uk)
Media‑literacy tip as you read the press releases: look for evidence of truly new money and realistic timelines; check whether projects are co‑designed with local partners; and watch how risk, accountability and data are shared. If those pieces are present, coalitions stand a better chance of lasting.
The practical bit: the Global Partnerships Conference runs in London on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 May 2026, with the venue still to be confirmed. We’ll track the programme and unpack jargon-like blended finance, guarantees and concessional loans-as details land. (gov.uk)