The President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, received a phone call from Bill Gates, who congratulated him on Eid al-Adha and wished prosperity for the UAE. During the call, the Emirati president and Bill Gates discussed possibilities for enhancing joint cooperation and initiatives to combat global epidemics, such as polio, as well as advanced qualitative steps taken in this field over the past period. They also addressed the issue of neglected tropical diseases and the role of the "Last Mile Forum" in mobilizing and accelerating international efforts to help poor communities eliminate serious diseases that threaten their lives and hinder their social and economic development, along with other humanitarian, developmental, and health partnership initiatives supported by both parties to enhance humanitarian response in many communities and countries around the world.
The conversation also touched on the significance of the upcoming 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which will be hosted by the UAE at the end of this year. This event represents a significant milestone in advancing joint climate action and accelerating global efforts to address the impacts of climate change, in addition to finding innovative solutions to climate issues. The conference will witness the first global assessment of the progress made in achieving the goals of the historic Paris Agreement on climate.
The two parties discussed the importance of innovation and modern technology in enhancing efforts to find successful and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, emphasizing that innovation is crucial in addressing these challenges, preserving the environment and its natural resources, and achieving sustainable development. They also talked about opportunities for collaboration between COP28 and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to address the impact of climate change on human health.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed his gratitude to Bill Gates for the Eid congratulations, affirming the UAE's commitment to expanding the horizons of international cooperation in tackling diseases that threaten lives and hinder development, as well as the country’s support for various quality initiatives and global efforts in this regard.
For his part, Bill Gates praised during the call the significant humanitarian role played by the UAE in providing assistance to many communities worldwide under various circumstances, which has had a considerable impact on the targeted groups. He also appreciated the role of the UAE president in eliminating polio and his contributions to funding efforts to eradicate this disease globally, alongside his charitable initiatives to combat global diseases and epidemics.
Bill Gates confirmed that the UAE is a key partner and vital supporter of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's efforts in numerous global health and humanitarian initiatives aimed at improving human lives around the world.
