President Lee Meets Bill Gates to Boost Global Health Cooperation

Shared Commitment to Public Health and Climate Action

President Lee Jae-myung met with Bill Gates, chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on Thursday to discuss expanding cooperation in global health initiatives. The presidential office highlighted the meeting as a step toward strengthening South Korea’s role in addressing global challenges.

Lee praised Gates for his foundation’s contributions to public health and climate change, citing achievements such as vaccine development and eco-friendly energy projects. “You have been developing public goods for humanity, such as vaccines and eco-friendly energy facilities, which is truly admirable,” Lee said. He pledged that South Korea would actively explore ways to support and participate in the foundation’s initiatives.

Gates welcomed the commitment, noting the rapid growth of South Korea’s bioscience sector. “The growth of the bioscience sector here in Korea is very impressive whether it’s the research at the International Vaccine Institute,” Gates said. He specifically cited cooperation with Korean firms such as SD Biosensor, EuBiologics, SK Bioscience, and LG, underscoring the country’s innovative capacity in diagnostics and vaccine production.

Expanding Partnerships for Global Impact

During the discussion, Gates also emphasised the successes of multilateral health partnerships, including the Gavi vaccine alliance and the Global Fund, both of which have played critical roles in combating diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. He expressed hope that South Korea would expand its contributions to such initiatives, leveraging its technological and manufacturing strengths to deliver impact on a global scale.

The Microsoft co-founder’s visit to Seoul centered on advancing collaborations with Korean pharmaceutical companies to ensure stable vaccine supplies for low-income countries. His call for expanded cooperation aligns with ongoing international efforts to bolster pandemic preparedness and strengthen global health systems.

The meeting underscored the shared vision between South Korea’s government and the Gates Foundation: harnessing innovation and resources not just for national advancement, but to tackle pressing health and environmental challenges worldwide.