Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and co-chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in responding to infectious diseases like Covid-19 in his address at the National Assembly Tuesday.

Gates is visiting the country to sign a memorandum of understanding with the government to promote global health and security, close the gap in health equity, and continue efforts to fight infectious diseases among low and middle-income countries (LMICs). He was also scheduled to meet with President Yoon Suk-yeol later in the day.

“In the global health crisis, it is a good time for our foundation to start closer cooperation with Korea.” Gates said. “With foreign aid, hard work, and creativity over the past 70 years, Korea transformed itself from post-war ruins into an economic powerhouse.”

As Korea developed into one of the top 10 economies, other countries now look to Korea for solutions. As an aid donor, he added that Korea is also helping other countries begin that same journey.

Underscoring the importance of multilateral global health initiatives, he highlighted the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals and the work of the Global Fund and CEPI.

“Through cooperation with other countries, including Korea, we are striving to develop a vaccine against a wide range of disease mutations to cover the coronavirus extensively,” Gates said.

Addressing ways to end the pandemic, he cited his book, “Future Pandemic Prevention,” where he suggests forming a team of about 3,000 people to track infectious diseases and respond to emergencies at any time.

Gates also mentioned the need to rebuild the global health condition that collapsed due to Covid-19 with nearly 25 million children who did not receive basic vaccinations last year, compounded by plunging tuberculosis treatment and HIV testing rates.

Praising Korea’s leading role in the field of Covid-19 with diagnostic tests, vaccine manufacturing, innovative private sector, R&D expertise, and global bio-manufacturing manpower training hubs, he recognized Korea as the right country to take the lead in this field.

“Our organization looks forward to strengthening partnerships with Korea in science and technology and likewise hopes that Korea will play an expanded role to fight infectious diseases such as polio and measles, and save humanity from infectious diseases,” Gates said.

The Korean government recently expanded its investment in global health with a pledge of $200 million in the Corona Vaccine Access Initiative (COVAX) and further support to the Global Infectious Disease Control Fund.