Both parties discussed strategies to improve lives by combating preventable diseases like polio and neglected tropical diseases
H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of the International Philanthropic and Humanitarian Council, welcomed Bill Gates, Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, for a visit to the UAE.
The meeting included Mariam Almheiri, Head of the International Affairs Office at the Presidential Court and a member of the International Philanthropic and Humanitarian Council.
Collaborative efforts in health and agriculture
During their discussion, His Highness and Gates reviewed the ongoing collaborative efforts between the UAE and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the areas of global health and agriculture. They also explored the potential of artificial intelligence to accelerate progress in addressing significant development challenges related to health, education, and food systems.
Strengthening global health initiatives
The two leaders considered strategies to enhance their global initiatives aimed at improving lives and livelihoods, particularly through the fight against preventable diseases such as polio and neglected tropical diseases.
Since 2011, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has played a pivotal role in global initiatives to eradicate polio, including financing an urgent vaccination campaign in Gaza during September and October.
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Key initiatives from COP28
Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed and Gates also discussed the advancements made by key initiatives introduced at COP28, which are supported by both the UAE and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Among these initiatives is the Reaching the Last Mile Fund, a collaborative donor effort launched in 2017 by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed, focused on two neglected tropical diseases—onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis—in Africa.
At COP28, the Fund’s target was increased from US$100 million to US$500 million, with the ambitious aim of eradicating both diseases across the African continent.
Partnership on agricultural innovation
Their conversation further highlighted the progress of the UAE-Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Partnership on Innovation in Agriculture, which aims to expedite climate action and bolster global food systems.
Since its inception, this partnership has facilitated numerous priority projects aligned with the goals of both the UAE and the Gates Foundation, leveraging AI and technology to tackle agricultural and food system challenges, benefiting millions of farmers facing the impacts of climate change.
Investments in sustainable solutions
Key investments include the CGIAR AI Hub and AgrilLLM, which focuses on utilizing large language models to deliver AI-based extension services as a public good to smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries.
Another initiative is the Red Palm Weevil Consortium, which aims to establish a coalition of international organizations, governments, private sector entities, and local stakeholders to sustainably mitigate the significant threat posed by the red palm weevil to palm trees worldwide.
Reflecting on a decade of collaboration
Gates reflected on the decade-long partnership between his foundation and the UAE, expressing admiration for the UAE’s deep commitment to enhancing the well-being of the world’s most vulnerable populations.