Stalled Progress on SDGs:

Bill Gates acknowledges that progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has stalled due to multiple global crises like the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite this, he emphasizes that there was significant progress made before these crises and that by staying committed to aid and innovation, it is possible to get back on track.

Role of Aid and Innovation:

Gates suggests that maintaining levels of aid and focusing on innovation are crucial for resuming progress. Innovations in areas such as digital bank accounts have proved particularly useful during the pandemic for delivering aid, especially to women.

Resource Crunch:

Gates notes that while there may be political will to move towards the SDGs, governments face financial constraints. He argues that philanthropic organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation can contribute but cannot replace the aid from wealthy nations.

Funding Types and Challenges:

His foundation focuses on both “upstream funding” for innovation and participates in larger aid projects like the Polio Global Fund. Gates points out that even philanthropy has its limits, particularly when domestic issues in rich countries consume budgets that might otherwise go to aid.

Prospects for 2030:

Gates remains cautiously optimistic that some progress will be achieved by 2030, despite setbacks from the pandemic, rising interest rates, and global conflicts. While the targets set may not be fully met, he believes that innovations in areas like malaria treatment will result in tangible improvements.

Importance of Food Security:

Bill Gates stresses the critical nature of food security, especially in Africa where over 30% of children suffer from malnutrition, affecting their cognitive and physical development. The issue has been compounded by climate change, making food security a priority that needs more attention.

Increasing Agricultural Productivity:

He suggests that agricultural productivity can be improved in developing countries by providing farmers with seeds adapted to local conditions, useful farming advice, and access to credit for purchasing fertilizers. This productivity boost would help countries be less reliant on increasingly expensive food imports.

Challenges in Agricultural R&D:

When asked about the lack of Research and Development (R&D) innovation in agriculture, Gates refers to the Green Revolution of the 1970s as a successful example but acknowledges that less attention has been paid to “orphan crops” in Africa, like millet and sorghum. He identifies underinvestment in seed innovation as a problem, and advocates for increasing global seed innovation budgets to adapt to climate change.

Safety and Regulation Concerns:

Addressing safety concerns and regulatory issues in agricultural innovation, Gates emphasizes the need for rigorous scientific evaluations of new seeds, similar to the safety checks conducted on medicines. He advocates for a blend of global R&D with adaptations suited for local ecosystems.

Foundation’s Role in Breaking Underinvestment Cycle:

Bill Gates confirms that his foundation is planning to significantly increase its funding in seed innovation. He states that they’ll unveil the specifics at the COP27 event in Egypt. The goal is to accelerate climate adaptation measures, an area he feels is currently underfunded and not sufficiently measured.

Land Investment in America:

On the topic of his significant land purchases in the U.S., Gates clarifies that it is part of a diverse investment strategy aimed at maximizing returns for his foundation. He denies a direct connection between this and his work on food security in Africa.

Vaccine Availability:

Bill Gates asserts that there is no shortage of COVID-19 vaccines globally; warehouses are full, waiting for people to use them. He suggests that the issue is not the supply but whether populations want to be vaccinated.

High-Risk Groups:

Gates highlights the importance of vaccinating high-risk groups, especially the elderly. He mentions that India has achieved high vaccination levels but emphasizes that booster doses are crucial, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Global Behavior:

Gates points out that many countries are acting as if the pandemic is over by lifting restrictions and not wearing masks. He warns that deaths are still occurring and that there is a risk of new variants emerging.

Preparedness for Future Pandemics:

Gates expresses hope that the world will learn from the current situation to be better prepared for future pandemics. Early action can prevent the spread of the disease to billions, he notes.

Lack of Global Leadership:

Gates expresses disappointment that global discussions on pandemic preparedness haven’t advanced as much as he’d like. He identifies the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as having fallen short in their response but states that the organization remains a credible voice for future guidance.

Impact of Other Global Issues:

Gates also mentions that the Ukraine war and other crises are diverting attention and resources, implying that pandemic preparedness should be a priority in international meetings like the G7.

Global Plan for Pandemics:

Bill Gates expresses optimism that despite current distractions like war, the world will eventually come together to formulate a plan for dealing with pandemics. He acknowledges that the focus on this issue has been slower than he expected but notes positive lessons from India in vaccine manufacturing and distribution.

Intellectual Property and Vaccines:

When questioned about his stance on intellectual property (IP) rights in relation to vaccines, Gates asserts that IP did not delay vaccine distribution. He points to companies like AstraZeneca that encouraged the manufacturing of their vaccines without demanding royalties. Gates says that IP and vaccine delays should not be connected.

Polio Eradication:

Gates identifies polio eradication as a high priority, especially in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the only two countries where the disease has not been eradicated. He acknowledges that natural disasters like floods have delayed progress but remains hopeful.

HIV Progress:

Gates acknowledges that progress on HIV has been slower than desired but indicates that new tools are emerging. He is optimistic that strides will be made soon in combating diseases that particularly affect developing countries, which is a focus for the Gates Foundation.

Bill Gates’ Focus:

Bill Gates talks about the ongoing focus of the Gates Foundation on climate change and childhood mortality. He reveals that the foundation has successfully reduced childhood deaths and will continue to work towards cutting the costs associated with it. Gates maintains that, despite a volatile global environment, the foundation’s core values and goals have not changed.

Goalkeepers Campaign:

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has an annual Goalkeepers campaign, which recognizes individuals making substantial impacts on sustainable development goals globally. This year, Radhika Batra, the co-founder of Every Infant Matters, is among the winners. Her non-profit focuses on delivering health solutions to disadvantaged children in India.

Radhika Batra’s Journey:

Batra speaks about the challenges of starting a healthcare-focused organization, particularly in the conservative Indian society that has traditional expectations for women. Her primary challenge was deciding where to start; she ultimately chose pediatrics, driven by the issue of malnutrition in children.

Healthcare Challenges:

Both Batra and Gates acknowledge the difficulties faced in global healthcare. Batra notes that the healthcare problems are not unique to India but are similar in countries like Nigeria and Kenya. She advocates for a collective global responsibility, emphasizing that healthcare challenges anywhere are essentially a threat to humanity everywhere.

Support and Scaling:

Batra finds it relatively easier to garner support due to the impactful work her organization is doing. She mentions how support comes when there is a genuine drive to make a difference, allowing her organization to scale from one hospital in India to five countries.

Core Values:

Despite the complexities of today’s world, both speakers express an unchanging commitment to their core values: For Gates, it’s saving children’s lives; for Batra, it’s about making healthcare accessible and affordable. Both continue their work against the backdrop of a volatile and challenging global environment.