UAE Strengthens Global Health Partnerships And Development Initiatives, Says Gates Foundation CEO

Mark Suzman, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, highlighted the extensive partnerships between the foundation and the UAE in humanitarian efforts. These collaborations focus on areas such as combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with the UAE playing a significant leadership role. During a virtual press conference for the eighth annual Goalkeepers report, Suzman emphasised joint initiatives like the Global Institute for Disease Elimination (GLIDE), established in 2019.

The UAE is also involved in a partnership with the Islamic Development Bank through the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF). This fund, supported by several Gulf countries, provides concessional loans to Islamic nations for health and development projects, including nutrition-related investments. "The UAE has been a strong partner in these areas and we certainly hope highlighting some of these opportunities will provide an opportunity for deeper partnership, particularly around maternal and child health," Suzman stated.

The eighth annual Goalkeepers report urged global leaders to allocate aid funds to counteract malnutrition trends. It stressed that investing in nutrition is crucial to combat climate change impacts. Despite climate change's urgency, addressing malnutrition remains vital. UNICEF's first report on child food poverty revealed that two-thirds of children worldwide lack sufficient nutrients, affecting over 400 million children.

In 2023, WHO estimated that 148 million children faced stunting while 45 million experienced wasting—severe forms of malnutrition. These conditions hinder children's growth potential and can be life-threatening. The report projected that from 2024 to 2050, climate change will cause an additional 40 million children to suffer from stunting and 28 million from wasting.

The report highlighted that over half of all child deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2010, the region's share of global poverty has risen by more than 20 percentage points. However, foreign aid to Africa has decreased from nearly 40 percent to just 25 percent over the same period—the lowest in two decades. This reduction in resources means more children face preventable deaths.

Suzman concluded by confirming ongoing discussions about potential new partnerships with the UAE. These talks aim to strengthen collaborations further, especially concerning maternal and child health initiatives.

With inputs from WAM