PR91480

SEATTLE, Sept. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-- New data reveals world stepped up to prevent worst-case scenarios from

happening; spotlights need for long-term investments to ensure an equitable

recovery and continued progress toward the Global Goals

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today launched its fifth annual Goalkeepers

Report (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gatesfoundation.org%2Fgoalkeepers%2Freport%2F2021-report%2F&data=04%7C01%7Canna.casparius%40gatesfoundation.org%7Cd53e60ab5e734d449ced08d96d8cdfcc%7C296b38384bd5496cbd4bf456ea743b74%7C0%7C0%7C637661274075514900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=0ZUS1GE1sk9HjuzIMaZOB9VjaNnwLNXrUjqUHgovUCs%3D&reserved=0), featuring

an updated global dataset illustrating the pandemic's adverse impact on progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(Global Goals).

This year's report, co-authored by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates,

co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shows that disparities caused

by COVID-19 remain stark, and those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic

will be the slowest to recover. Because of COVID-19, an additional 31 million

people were pushed into extreme poverty in 2020 compared to 2019. And while 90%

of advanced economies will regain pre-pandemic per capita income levels by next

year, only a third of low- and middle-income economies are expected to do so.

Fortunately, amidst this devastation, the world stepped up to avert some of the

worst-case scenarios. In last year's Goalkeepers Report, the Institute for

Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) predicted a drop of 14 percentage points

in global vaccine coverage—effectively erasing 25 years of progress in 25

weeks. New analysis from IHME demonstrates that the decline, while still

unacceptable, was only half of what was anticipated.

In the report, the co-chairs highlight the "breathtaking innovation" that was

only possible because of global collaboration, commitment, and investments over

decades. They acknowledge that averting the worst-case scenarios is

commendable, yet they note it's not enough. To ensure a truly equitable

recovery from the pandemic, they call for long-term investments in health and

economies—like the ones that led to the rapid development of the COVID-19

vaccine—to propel recovery efforts and get the world back on track to meet the

Global Goals.

"[The past year] has reinforced our belief that progress is possible but not

inevitable," write the co-chairs. "If we can expand upon the best of what we've

seen these past 18 months, we can finally put the pandemic behind us and once

again accelerate progress in addressing fundamental issues like health, hunger,

and climate change."

The report highlights the disproportionate economic impact that the pandemic

has had on women globally. In high- and low-income countries alike, women have

been harder hit than men by the global recession that was triggered by the

pandemic.

"Women face structural barriers in every corner of the world, leaving them more

vulnerable to the impacts of the pandemic," said Melinda French Gates. "By

investing in women now and addressing these inequities, governments can spur a

more equitable recovery while strengthening their economies against future

crises. It's not just the right thing to do—but smart policy that will benefit

everyone."

The report also illustrates how the so-called "miracle" of COVID-19 vaccines

was the result of decades of investment, policies, and partnerships that

established the infrastructure, talent, and ecosystems necessary to deploy them

quickly. However, the systems that allowed for the unprecedented development

and deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine exist primarily in wealthy countries,

and as a result, the world has not benefited equally.

"The lack of equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines is a public health tragedy,"

said Bill Gates. "We face the very real risk that in the future, wealthy

countries and communities will begin treating COVID-19 as yet another disease

of poverty. We can't put the pandemic behind us until everyone, regardless of

where they live, has access to vaccines."

More than 80% of all COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in high- and

upper-middle-income countries to date, with some securing two to three times

the number needed so they can cover boosters; less than 1% of doses have been

administered in low-income countries. Further, COVID-19 vaccine access has been

strongly correlated with the locations where there is vaccine R&D and

manufacturing capability. Though Africa is home to 17% of the world's

population, for example, it has less than 1% of the world's vaccine

manufacturing capabilities.

Ultimately, the report calls for the world to invest in R&D, infrastructure,

and innovation in places closer to the people who stand to benefit.

"We must invest in local partners to strengthen the capacity of researchers and

manufacturers in lower-income countries to create the vaccines and medicines

they need," said Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman. "The only way we will solve

our greatest health challenges is by drawing on the innovation and talent of

people all over the world."

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates

Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In

developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them

the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United

States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest

resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and

life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman,

under the direction of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.

About Goalkeepers

Goalkeepers is the foundation's campaign to accelerate progress towards the

Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals). By sharing stories and data

behind the Global Goals through an annual report, we hope to inspire a new

generation of leaders—Goalkeepers who raise awareness of progress, hold their

leaders accountable, and drive action to achieve the Global Goals.

About the Global Goals

On September 25, 2015, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, 193

world leaders committed to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals(

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ )

(Global Goals). These are a series of ambitious objectives and targets to

achieve three extraordinary things by 2030: end poverty, fight inequality and

injustice, and fix climate change.

Media Contact: media@gatesfoundation.org

Report Link: https://www.gatesfoundation.org/goalkeepers/report/2021-report/

Report Visual Assets:

http://gatesfoundation.isebox.net/goalkeepers/goalkeepers-report-2021

SOURCE: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation