Manend Team 
ISLAMABAD, (MANEND NEWS): Prime Minister Imran Khan has
underscored the importance of equitable, timely, and scaled delivery of
COVID-19 vaccines to low-income countries.
In a telephonic conversation with Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation Bill Gates, PM Imran Khan commended the Gates
Foundation’s strong advocacy to promote equitable access to COVID-
19 vaccines.
The Prime Minister and Bill Gates exchanged views on the latest status
of COVID-19 pandemic, polio eradication campaign, health and
development issues, and climate change. They agreed on the
importance of urgently stopping the spread of COVID-19, polio and
other vaccine-preventable diseases in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that eradication of polio remained a key
priority of the government and efforts were underway to intensify the
anti-polio campaign across the country despite COVID-19 related
challenges.
He affirmed his commitment to strengthening efforts nationwide to
achieve a polio-free Pakistan.
The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the work of Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation for fighting poverty, combating COVID-19
pandemic and inequalities around the world.
Recalling his recent letter addressed to Bill Gates on Climate Change,
Imran Khan apprised Bill Gates about Pakistan’s flagship initiatives,
including the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Initiative.
Bill Gates acknowledged Pakistan’s commitment to address climate
change and agreed that the world must come together to face this
global challenge.
While highlighting that food systems are particularly vulnerable to
climate change, he emphasized that the global leaders should prioritize
investments in agricultural research for adaptation.
He also suggested Prime Minister Imran Khan to leverage Pakistan’s
unique voice to raise awareness for increasing global support for
smallholder farmers.
