Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Commends UK Government for Maintaining Its Commitment to the World’s Poor

SEATTLE - The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation welcomes today’s news that the UK Government will deliver on its promises to the poorest people in the world, despite the current economic downturn, and achieve the EU target to increase development assistance to 0.56 percent of National Income by 2010.

“The UK government’s pledge to increase the amount of money it gives to poor countries at this time will contribute to real progress in the fight against poverty and disease,” said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “We know that progress is possible on the major challenges facing poor people across the world, even in difficult times. It takes sustained and smart investments to maintain progress and reach shared global goals.

“Along with recent positive news from the United States and Germany, this shows that G8 countries are able to meet their ODA targets. We hope that all G8 countries will honor their previous commitments in the fight against poverty and disease by the time of the G8 Summit in July.”

“We are committed to working with governments and other partners in Europe and around the world. Like them, we are working to ensure that gains made so far to combat poverty and improve health are not reversed because of the global economic crisis,” said Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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 Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. Learn more at www.gatesfoundation.org.

Source: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, +1-206-709-3400, media at gatesfoundation.org