New York, September 23, 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Gates Foundation Chair Bill Gates on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Recalling the Gates Foundation team’s recent visit to Pakistan earlier this month, the prime minister appreciated the foundation’s engagement with Pakistan in support of polio eradication, maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, digitization and financial inclusion.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to completely eradicate polio from the country and thanked the Gates Foundation for its longstanding assistance in the effort. He also expressed his personal commitment to achieving the goal.
Bill Gates acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts under the prime minister’s leadership and stressed that polio eradication was vital to protecting future generations from the disease.
He also appreciated the prime minister’s personal guidance to provincial governments regarding the polio vaccination programme across the country.
The prime minister 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 also briefed Gates on the government’s agricultural reforms, with particular emphasis on innovation, biotechnology, climate resilience, research and capacity-building for farmers.
The two sides agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration in the development of improved seeds, livestock genetics and emerging agricultural technologies.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued and constructive engagement aimed at strengthening partnerships in sustainable development, technological advancement and improved social-sector outcomes for the people of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also invited Bill Gates to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
