The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has announced the UK will cohost a two‑day Global Partnerships Conference in London on 19–20 May 2026, presented as a practical reset in how international development is organised to support shared growth and resilience. The announcement was published on 20 February. (gov.uk)
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will cohost with the Government of South Africa, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and British International Investment (BII). Organisers intend to bring together governments, international organisations, investors, philanthropies, business and technology leaders. (gov.uk)
FCDO says the UK is “thinking like an investor, not a donor”, shifting emphasis from discrete service delivery to strengthening national systems, and from grants to expertise. The objective is measurable impact and value for money delivered through country‑led, resilient growth. (gov.uk)
Practical priorities flagged by officials and partners include recruiting and training teachers, expanding disease control for TB and malaria, and using technology to improve domestic revenue collection. The conference will also test approaches that crowd in private capital alongside development banks and philanthropic partners. (gov.uk)
Baroness Jenny Chapman, Minister for Development, said partner governments are asking for greater control over their development strategies, investment that strengthens national institutions, and a route beyond long‑term aid dependence. She described the London meeting as a working session to align public, private and civil society capability behind specific projects. (gov.uk)
South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa, framed the event as grounded in shared values and practical cooperation, focused on inclusive growth and institution‑building with investment mobilisation at its centre.
CIFF chief executive Kate Hampton said philanthropy cannot replace state action but can accelerate delivery when aligned with governments, development banks, private investors, academics and civil society-an approach the conference will seek to operationalise.
From the finance side, BII chief executive Leslie Maasdorp said the gathering will emphasise investment‑led development, including sustainable and green growth. Maasdorp’s appointment as BII CEO was confirmed by the institution in October 2024. (gov.uk)
The event-formally titled “Global Partnerships Conference 2026: Common Challenges, Collective Action”-is scheduled for 19–20 May in London, with the venue to be confirmed. Media enquiries are being handled by the FCDO Newsdesk. (gov.uk)
Policy significance: the conference signals a UK preference for modern, diverse coalitions that combine public, private and philanthropic finance with technology adoption and local leadership. Delivery will be judged against whether initiatives strengthen national systems and support a credible path beyond aid dependence.