PM Shehbaz Sharif meets Bill Gates, agrees to expand cooperation in health, agriculture

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Gates Foundation Chair Bill Gates in New York on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The two discussed polio eradication, public health, agriculture, digital innovation and emerging technologies.

What did Shehbaz Sharif and Bill Gates discuss?

Shehbaz Sharif and Bill Gates discussed expanding cooperation across health, agriculture, digital innovation and artificial intelligence.

The prime minister recalled the Gates Foundation team's recent visit to Pakistan and thanked the foundation for its support in polio eradication, maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, digitization and financial inclusion.

What did the prime minister say about polio eradication?

Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to completely eradicate polio and thanked the Gates Foundation for its continued assistance, expressing his personal commitment to the campaign. Gates acknowledged Pakistan's efforts to eliminate the disease and stressed the importance of eradication to protect future generations.

He also praised the prime minister's guidance to provincial governments in implementing the nationwide polio vaccination program.

What areas of cooperation did the two sides agree on?

Shehbaz Sharif described the Gates Foundation as a trusted partner in Pakistan's socio-economic development and expressed interest in expanding cooperation in public health, agriculture, digital innovation and artificial intelligence.

He briefed Gates on the government's agricultural reforms, highlighting initiatives in biotechnology, climate resilience, research and capacity-building for farmers. Both sides agreed to explore cooperation in developing improved seeds, livestock genetics and emerging agricultural technologies.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening partnerships aimed at sustainable development, technological advancement and improved social-sector outcomes in Pakistan. Shehbaz Sharif also invited Gates to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.