Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Meeting of Bill Gates with Indonesian Philanthropists at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 7th 2025

The Honourable Mr. Bill Gates, the chair of the Gates Foundation.
I will speak first in Indonesian, then I will translate it directly.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have an honourable guest, Mr. Bill Gates, Chairperson of the Gates Foundation, which I believe is one of the largest philanthropic foundations in the world, with donation exceeding US$100 billion.

They provide assistance of US$9 billion every year. He mentioned that in the next 20 years, almost all of those funds will be distributed. The funds will be disbursed. So, such an approach by a figure like Bill Gates might be more aligned with the values of Pancasila—more Pancasila than us, perhaps. It is very interesting.

Earlier, I spoke with him. He has granted Indonesia a total of US$159 million, including US$119 million in the health sector, US$5 million in agriculture, US$5 million in technology, and other social assistance across sectors, totaling more than US$28 million.

I told the floor that you have assisted us directly in direct donation more than US$159 million since 2009, mostly into health.

Especially strategic issues such as vaccines, the polio vaccine, his assistance reached Rp1.3 trillion. Currently, state-run pharmaceutical company Biofarma, produces up to two billion doses of vaccines each year, used by 42 countries worldwide and benefiting up to 902 million people. So, these kinds of things, not to mention other vaccines, mRNA technology, and extraordinary vaccine manufacturing technologies, are supported by his foundation. He is currently developing a tuberculosis (TB) vaccine for the world and Indonesia will be one of the places for clinical trials. We know that TB takes a significant toll on us, with nearly 100,000 deaths annually, and it is our determination to reduce this. He has shown his commitment to continue helping us in that field. He is also developing a malaria vaccine.

So, basically, I informed them of all your commitments to help us control these very dangerous diseases that are endemic in our country. And, the success of the polio vaccine, and now we look forward to breakthroughs in malaria and TB, which I think will not be too far in the future.

There are many things we can talk about, but to keep it brief, I will start the discussion.

Maybe we invite you to give us a bit of your ideas, your vision for the future.

Earlier, I already conveyed my decision as the President of the Republic of Indonesia, to hold a meeting of the Honorary Council, considering Bill Gates’ support and assistance to Indonesia, but not only for Indonesia, but also for humanity. Because I, on behalf of Indonesia, would like to award our highest honor to a foreign citizen for his services in helping the people of Indonesia and the people of the world.

I just announced that I have decided to convene our council for the National Awards to award Mr. Bill Gates for his contribution to the Indonesian people and the world humanity as a mark of his commitment [and] dedication to humanitarian causes. And, we agreed that I will try to do it in September in New York, during the United Nations season. So, I think all of us will be in agreement that you really deserve this for your contribution to the cause of humanity.

Thank you very much. I invite you now, please.

(EST/MMB)