AsiaNet 87739

SEATTLE, Jan. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Today, Bill and Melinda Gates share their 2021 Annual Letter (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3044993-1&h=3445137668&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gatesnotes.com%2F2021-Annual-Letter&a=2021+Annual+Letter

), "The Year Global Health Went Local." In this year's letter, Bill and Melinda

reflect on the worldwide impact of COVID-19 and the global collaboration and

scientific innovation fueling one of the largest public health efforts in

history. They share why they are optimistic the world can emerge from the

pandemic stronger, healthier, and more resilient, and discuss two areas they

believe are essential to building a better future: prioritizing equity and

preparing for the next pandemic.

"COVID-19 has cost lives, sickened millions, and thrust the global economy into

a devastating recession," Bill and Melinda write. "Although we have a long

recovery in front of us, the world has achieved some significant victories

against the virus in the form of new tests, treatments, and vaccines. We

believe these new tools will soon begin bending the curve in a big way."

Bill and Melinda argue that in response to the pandemic, donors from around the

world contributed resources, competitors shared research findings, and years of

global investment helped unlock a new era in vaccine development, delivering

safe, effective vaccines in record time. They caution, however, that the

pandemic has also exacerbated pre-existing health disparities, particularly for

essential workers, communities of color, people experiencing poverty, and

women. They express concern that the pandemic could also perpetuate another

type of injustice: immunity inequality. They call for an inclusive response

that addresses the uneven social and economic impacts of the virus.

"From the beginning of the pandemic, we have urged wealthy nations to remember

that COVID-19 anywhere is a threat everywhere. Until vaccines reach everyone,

new clusters of disease will keep popping up. The cycle of inequality will

continue," Melinda writes. "Everything depends on whether the world comes

together to ensure that the lifesaving science developed in 2020 saves as many

lives as possible in 2021."

Bill and Melinda also stress that it's not too early to think about the next

pandemic. Although stopping it will require tens of billions of dollars per

year, they note that COVID-19 has cost the world an estimated $28 trillion.

They urge continued investment in testing, treatments, and vaccines, and

discuss the importance of a global alert system that can detect disease

outbreaks as soon as they occur.

"The world now understands how seriously we should take pandemics," Bill

writes. "We're already seeing new pandemic preparedness strategies emerge and I

expect to see more in the months and years to come. The world wasn't ready for

the COVID-19 pandemic. I think next time will be different."

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was established with the belief that every

person deserves a chance to live a heathy and productive life. To-date, the

foundation has committed $1.75 billion in the fight against COVID-19 (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3044993-1&h=3943623277&u=https%3A%2F%2Fww2.gatesfoundation.org%2Fideas%2Farticles%2Fcoronavirus-funding-additional-250-million-suzman&a=the+foundation+has+committed+%241.75+billion+in+the+fight+against+COVID-19

), including support for partners in the development and equitable delivery of

vaccines, tests, and treatments.

To read the letter in its entirety, visit  

www.gatesnotes.com/2021-Annual-Letter.

About Melinda Gates

Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist, businesswoman, and global advocate

for women and girls. As the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,

Melinda sets the direction and priorities of the world's largest philanthropy.

She is also the founder of Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation

company working to drive social progress for women and families in the United

States, and the author of the bestselling book The Moment of Lift.

Melinda grew up in Dallas, Texas. She received a bachelor's degree in computer

science from Duke University and an MBA from Duke's Fuqua School. Melinda spent

the first decade of her career developing multimedia products at Microsoft

before leaving the company to focus on her family and philanthropic work. She

lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband, Bill. They have three children,

Jenn, Rory, and Phoebe.

About Bill Gates

Bill Gates is co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In 1975, Bill

Gates founded Microsoft with Paul Allen and led the company to become the

worldwide leader in business and personal software and services. In 2008, Bill

transitioned to focus full-time on his foundation's work to expand opportunity

to the world's most disadvantaged people. Along with co-chair Melinda Gates, he

leads the foundation's development of strategies and sets the overall direction

of the organization. In 2010, Bill, Melinda and Warren Buffett founded the

Giving Pledge, an effort to encourage the wealthiest families and individuals

to publicly commit more than half of their wealth to philanthropic causes and

charitable organizations during their lifetime or in their will. In 2015, Bill

created Breakthrough Energy Coalition, a group of individuals and entities

committed to clean energy innovation, followed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures

in 2016, an investor-led fund focused on providing patient capital to support

cutting-edge clean energy companies.

SOURCE:  Bill & Melinda Gates  

CONTACT: media@gatesfoundation.org;

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