Kirsty McNeill made a speech at the Education Cannot Wait Replenishment Conference on 05 November 2026. She outlined the UK's commitment to supporting the continued provision of education during times of crisis.
I want to start by saying a very sincere thank you to everyone here for your commitment to building a better future for children affected by crisis.
For every child, education is possibility. It gives children knowledge, confidence and crucially freedom to shape their own future. Few investments are more powerful.
For so many of those children, conflict, displacement or climate shocks mean losing not just a classroom, but the stability, opportunity and hope that education represents.
Education can provide safety and protection in the midst of crisis. It can equip young people with the skills to rebuild their lives and communities. And crucially, it can help break cycles of poverty, displacement and conflict.