It’s published
Bill Gates will visit Brussels next week to attend the GAVI Vaccine Alliance Summit and pledge to provide vaccine purchases for developing countries at an event where the Gates Foundation and the European Union were co-hosted.
The goal of the event is to raise 9 billion euros between 2026 and 2030. The Ursula von der Leyen Commission and President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsora, will likely represent the EU at the event.
Gavi is a global vaccine alliance that brings together public and private stakeholders that help more than half of the world’s children get vaccinated against some of the most deadly diseases. Along with the European Union, the Gates Foundation is the biggest sponsor. Gavi plans to vaccinate at least 500 million children over the next five years. This would save 8 million to 9 million lives, according to their press release. It is not immediately clear how much the EU will contribute financially to this plan.
The EU has provided 3.2 billion euro funding to Gavi since 2003. Cooperation has been strengthened between the two during the Covacs program’s coronavirus pandemic. EU institutions and individual member states donate 2.55 billion euros to Gavi’s programme, which amounts to a third of the campaign’s budget.
“When the Gates Foundation made its first investment in Gabi 25 years ago, I couldn’t predict the surprising impact it would have on fighting infectious diseases, lifting the economy and saving lives.”
“Together with Gavi, we have a goal of vaccinating 500 million children by 2030. That’s why the European Union is proud to co-host Gavi’s high-level pledge summit in Brussels.
In addition to Gavi’s Pledge Summit, Bill Gates will also have other agenda items in Brussels and will be taking part in discussions with MEPS at the European Parliament’s Development Committee on Tuesday.
This discussion focuses on support and innovation as a driver for improving health and living standards in the Global South.
A Congressional press release adds that several international donors, including the US and several EU countries, are cutting aid budgets.
