Prime Minister meets Gates Foundation Chairman Bill Gates in New York

Shehbaz Sharif thanked Gates Foundation for support for complete eradication of polio from Pakistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has met Gates Foundation Chairman Bill Gates in New York.

Prime Minister, while mentioning recent visit of Gates Foundation team to Pakistan earlier this month, appreciated Foundation's cooperation with Pakistan in areas of polio eradication, mother and child health, nutrition, immunization, digitalization and financial inclusion.

Prime Minister reiterated government's unwavering commitment for complete eradication of polio from Pakistan. He thanked Gates Foundation for its long-standing support for this important goal while also expressing his personal commitment for complete eradication of polio.

Bill Gates, while appreciating Pakistan's ongoing efforts for polio eradication under Prime Minister's leadership, said that complete eradication of polio is extremely important to protect future generations from this deadly disease. He also praised personal guidance provided by Prime Minister to provincial governments on polio vaccination program across country.

Prime Minister, while appreciating role of Gates Foundation as reliable partner in Pakistan's socio-economic development, expressed interest in further expanding cooperation in various sectors including public health, agriculture, digital innovation and artificial intelligence.

Prime Minister also informed Bill Gates about reforms being carried out by government in agriculture sector, in which special attention is being given to innovation, biotechnology, climate change adaptability, research and increasing capacity of farmers.

Both leaders agreed to explore possibilities of cooperation in areas of development of better seeds, genetic improvement of livestock and development of emerging agricultural technologies.

In meeting, commitment to further strengthen and expand partnership for Pakistan's sustainable development, technological advancement and improvement in social sectors was reiterated.

In meeting, Prime Minister mentioned Bill Gates's previous visit to Pakistan and also invited him to visit Pakistan soon.