Bill Gates to Address EU Parliament

Bill Gates, renowned philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft, is set to participate in a significant debate at the European Parliament on June 24. The discussion will center on the role of development assistance and innovation in enhancing health and living standards across the Global South.

Hosted by the Committee on Development, the session will also see participation from members of the Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy, as well as the Committee on Public Health. Gates, who chairs the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will engage with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to explore the impact of official development assistance (ODA) amidst dwindling financial commitments from major global donors like the US and several EU member states.

The Gates Foundation, established in 2000, has become a leading philanthropic force with a focus on public health in developing regions. This debate arrives at a crucial juncture, as global development funding faces a shortfall estimated in the trillions of dollars, prompting a reevaluation of traditional aid models.