Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has highlighted a concerning decline in global health funding, which, if not addressed, could threaten the well-being of millions of children worldwide. This warning was made during a Reuters Newsmaker event, where Gates announced a significant $912 million commitment to combat AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Despite this generous pledge, Gates emphasized that private donations cannot fill the gap left by government funding reductions, stating, “I am not capable of making up what the government cuts, and I don’t want to create an illusion of that.”
His remarks were made in anticipation of the Gates Foundation’s annual Goalkeepers event in New York, which this year focused on renewing the global commitment to child survival. At this event, Gates shared alarming figures from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, revealing that global health assistance dropped by 21% between 2024 and 2025, marking the lowest level in 15 years. These cuts endanger the substantial progress made over the years, which has seen child mortality decline from 10 million in 2000 to less than 5 million annually today.
Gates also outlined a plan to save millions more lives by 2045 by investing in cost-effective innovations and ensuring efficient resource use. This ambition reflects his optimistic view that governments can and will take necessary actions to preserve children’s lives, despite current funding challenges.
The Goalkeepers event also recognized notable contributions to global health efforts. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was awarded the 2025 Global Goalkeeper Award for his commitments. However, Gates did not shy away from reiterating his criticism of foreign aid cuts made by the Trump administration, particularly citing the withdrawal of funds from Gavi, the vaccine alliance. He warned that these funding decreases might reverse decades of advancements, referencing a Lancet study that projected an additional 8 million child deaths by 2040 if the financial support is not restored.
In a landscape where health investments are crucial, Gates’ message is clear: while the challenges are significant, the potential for governments to act and make impactful changes offers hope for a brighter future for the world’s children.