New York – The Shehbaz Gates meeting took place on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation, to discuss expanding cooperation in health, nutrition, and digital development.
To begin with, the Prime Minister thanked the Gates Foundation for its generous donation toward Pakistan’s 2025 flood recovery. He also recalled the Foundation’s vital support during the 2022 floods. As a result, both leaders acknowledged the importance of sustained collaboration in humanitarian response.
Moreover, the Prime Minister appreciated the Foundation’s long-standing support for polio eradication, immunization, nutrition, and financial inclusion. He reaffirmed that polio eradication remains a top priority for the Government of Pakistan. Continued partnership with the Gates Foundation is essential to achieving this goal.
In addition, while highlighting Pakistan’s economic reforms and push for cashless digitization, the Prime Minister praised the Foundation’s practical and positive cooperation. He emphasized that digital transformation is key to revitalizing the economy and improving service delivery.
Consequently, the Shehbaz Gates meeting ended with a shared commitment to deepen cooperation. Both sides agreed to advance joint efforts in health, nutrition, digital innovation, and broader socio-economic development.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister invited the Gates Foundation to expand its footprint in Pakistan’s education and climate resilience sectors. He stressed that inclusive development requires global partnerships, long-term investment, and sustained innovation.
Ultimately, this high-level engagement reflects Pakistan’s growing role in global health diplomacy. Through strategic collaboration with the Gates Foundation, the country aims to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goals and uplift vulnerable communities.
Currently, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is in New York for a five-day visit to attend the UNGA’s high-level week. His schedule includes bilateral meetings, climate and development forums, and a keynote address at the SDG Summit. There, he will outline Pakistan’s vision for inclusive growth and global cooperation.
