What’s next for Pakistan-Gates Foundation partnership?

Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Bill Gates, Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, met to discuss expanding cooperation in public health, agriculture, digital innovation, and artificial intelligence during a side event at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The conversation centered on Pakistan's efforts to eradicate polio and the potential for technology and innovation to support health, agriculture, and socioeconomic development.

Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan's commitment to eliminating polio and expressed gratitude for the foundation's long-standing support for the country's eradication campaign. Bill Gates underscored the importance of eradicating the disease to protect future generations and praised the prime minister's involvement in guiding provincial governments on implementing polio vaccination programs.

The partnership between Pakistan and the Gates Foundation has been long-standing, with the foundation providing support for vaccination, disease surveillance, and health systems strengthening. The New York meeting also explored potential cooperation in agriculture, digital innovation, and AI. Sharif briefed Gates on the government's agricultural reforms, focusing on innovation, biotechnology, climate resilience, research, and capacity-building for farmers.

Both parties agreed to explore potential cooperation in developing improved seeds, livestock genetics, and emerging agricultural technologies.