Doha: HE Microsoft Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, emphasized the strategic partnership between his foundation and the State of Qatar, highlighting its significant contributions to health, social development, and global poverty reduction programs.
According to Qatar News Agency, Gates, speaking at the opening of the Doha Forum, described Qatar as a leading supporter of social development programs. He announced a new partnership between the Gates Foundation and the Qatar Development Fund focused on enhancing economic empowerment and supporting farmers, alongside initiatives in education and health.
Gates underscored Qatar's role in supporting international vaccine efforts, including its contributions to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. He described these efforts as an investment reflecting Qatar's commitment to the world's most vulnerable populations.
His Excellency highlighted Qatar's humanitarian efforts, which extend beyond conflict resolution to provide resources benefiting humanity. He noted the reduction in child mortality rates, attributing it to joint efforts between institutions and donor countries, including Qatar.
Gates explained that effective health systems in poor countries could prevent most deaths from treatable diseases with an investment of no more than USD 100 per person annually. However, he cautioned that progress is fragile due to over 100 million people living in conflict zones, complicating healthcare access.
He revealed that modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, present opportunities for exceptional health achievements, including the development of vaccines against diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria, and the use of AI-based tools to improve healthcare delivery.
Gates disclosed the development of AI models capable of understanding various world languages, enabling remote consultations in native languages. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the poor benefit from the AI revolution, avoiding a repeat of past scenarios where developing countries lagged in innovation.
He expressed confidence in reducing global child mortality to below 2 percent and making progress against poverty and deadly diseases with continued international support.
Gates concluded by emphasizing that saving millions of children's lives worldwide is a crucial ethical issue, calling for collective efforts to achieve historic progress and reach desired global health and poverty reduction goals.