Microsoft founder Bill Gates on Tuesday called on South Korea to play a major role in global health cooperation, especially in the field of vaccine manufacturing and research.
Korea is ready to be a leader in this field, specifically in vaccine manufacturing, diagnostics and research,” Gates said during his visit to Seoul, during which he addressed the South Korean National Assembly before meeting with the Parliament Speaker Kim Jin-pyo.
The also co-president of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said he hopes to strengthen his association with that Asian country, at a time of “global health crisis.”
He promised to contribute ideas for the development of new tools and resources to help those most in need.
The tycoon also congratulated Seoul on its donation commitment of 200 million dollars (197.3 million euros) for the International Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution Program (COVAX) and said helping those in need is “the right and smart thing to do.”
We will not only fight infectious diseases such as polio and measles, but we will save humanity from them,” said Gates, who stressed that “future pandemics must be avoided.”
The billionaire said that Covid-19 must be “ended”, but stressed that this disease has shown that “everyone is deeply connected”.
The businessman’s visit coincides with the announcement this Monday that the South Korean technology conglomerate SK will invest 250 million dollars (246.6 million euros) in the TerraPower company, founded by Gates and dedicated to the development of small nuclear reactors or modular reactors.
This investment is part of a fundraising round of 750 million dollars (739.9 million euros), co-directed by the entrepreneur.
The Microsoft founder is also expected to meet South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday as part of his visit, which ends on Wednesday.
Source: Observadora
