Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Gates Foundation Chair Bill Gates in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting focused on Pakistan’s ongoing development priorities and areas where further cooperation could support communities across the country.
During the discussion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted his government’s goal of completely eliminating polio from Pakistan. He also appreciated the continued assistance provided by the Gates Foundation in supporting Pakistan’s health and immunisation efforts.
The meeting covered several other important areas, including maternal and child healthcare, nutrition and vaccination programmes. Digital innovation and financial inclusion were also discussed, with both sides looking at ways technology could help improve access to essential services and opportunities.
Agriculture emerged as another area with potential for increased cooperation. The two sides discussed possible collaboration involving improved seeds, livestock genetics and new technologies that could contribute to agricultural development and productivity in Pakistan.
The prime minister also spoke about the importance of continued international partnerships in addressing development challenges. The discussion reflected a broader interest in combining technology, healthcare initiatives and agricultural innovation to support long-term progress.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited Bill Gates to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience. The invitation could provide an opportunity for further discussions on possible areas of cooperation between Pakistan and the Gates Foundation.
The meeting in New York highlighted the range of issues being considered for future collaboration, extending beyond public health to include agriculture, technology, nutrition and financial inclusion.
