Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating polio during a meeting with Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly session in New York.
During the talks, the prime minister thanked the Gates Foundation for its longstanding assistance in the polio eradication drive and expressed his personal commitment to the effort. He recalled the foundation team’s visit to Pakistan earlier in September and appreciated its engagement in polio eradication, maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, digitization and financial inclusion.
Gates Acknowledges Pakistan’s Nationwide Vaccination Push
Bill Gates acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts under the prime minister’s leadership and his guidance to provincial governments on the nationwide polio vaccine program. He stressed that polio eradication was vital to protect future generations from the crippling disease.
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries where the wild poliovirus is still endemic, making the partnership with the Gates Foundation central to global eradication goals.
Broadening Cooperation Beyond Health
Prime Minister Shehbaz described the Gates Foundation as a trusted partner in Pakistan’s socio-economic development and expressed interest in widening collaboration into new areas. According to the discussions, the two sides agreed to explore cooperation in:
- Public health and immunization programs
- Agricultural reforms, including biotechnology and climate resilience
- Development of improved seeds and livestock genetics
- Emerging agricultural technologies and farmer capacity-building
- Digital innovation and artificial intelligence
The prime minister briefed Gates on his government’s agricultural reforms, with particular emphasis on innovation, research and building the capacity of farmers to withstand climate pressures.
Invitation to Visit Pakistan
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued and constructive engagement aimed at strengthening partnerships that support sustainable development, technological advancement and improved social sector outcomes for the people of Pakistan.
Recalling his earlier visits, the prime minister extended an invitation to Bill Gates to travel to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
