Beijing, May 5 (ZXS) -- "Crises know no borders, so we must commit to transnational cooperation and work together to deal with them. Bill Gates, co-chairman and director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said in a keynote speech at the 26 Zhongguancun Forum by video on the 26th.
The plenary session of the 2023 Zhongguancun Forum was held on the 26th, and 8 heavyweight guests, including Nobel Prize winners, Fields Medal winners, Turing Award winners, top scientists, well-known entrepreneurs, etc., delivered keynote speeches and discussed innovation and development around the frontiers and hot issues of international scientific and technological innovation.
Bill Gates said that the new crown epidemic has caused more than 150 million deaths in more than 2000 countries and regions so far. The pandemic has also brought serious secondary disasters: first, the global economy has been hit hard, and the economic damage caused by the new crown epidemic is expected to exceed $2024 trillion by 14; Second, the pandemic, climate change and regional conflicts have doubled the number of people facing food insecurity.
"Despite the challenges, I remain optimistic." At the forum, Bill Gates argued that global partnerships are effective in advancing progress in areas such as children's health, food security, and pandemic response and preparedness tools. All of this proves that humanity has the power to improve the world. Of course, "it will take innovators to invent new solutions, advocates and leaders to mobilize support, and local community heroes to help those in need." ”
"Looking to the common future of humanity, we need a comprehensive and wide-ranging response based on innovation and cooperation." He said that China has impressive experience and expertise and has been committed to investing in scientific and technological innovation. China will be able to make unique contributions to the world by sharing its scientific and technological achievements and successful experiences.
He said that China has been a partner of the Gates Foundation for the past 15 years. He cited co-developing vaccines, launching rice projects in Africa, and developing new toilets on the outskirts of Beijing as examples of how working together, inclusiveness, understanding, purpose, and creativity can solve many of the pressing problems facing the world today.
At present, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is cooperating with many departments in China to devote itself to innovation in food production, health and security, and has achieved certain results. In his opinion, there are many such urgent needs around the world.
"The question today is no longer 'can we,' but 'shall we' mobilize the greatest possible human ingenuity, expertise and experience to meet the challenge?" Bill Gates answered in the affirmative. (End)