Bill Gates Statement in Response to G20 Leaders Summit Final Communiqué | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

CANNES, France -- Bill Gates welcomed the G20 leaders’ Communiqué, particularly the strong commitments to move forward in critical areas of global development and food security.

"It was a great privilege to have been asked by G20 Chair President Nicolas Sarkozy to address the G20 on financing for development, and to be able to hear, in person, world leaders’ strong commitment to ensuring that the needs of the poorest are not neglected," said Gates.

"I am pleased that many of the recommendations in my report, ‘Innovation with Impact: Financing 21st Century Development’ are reflected in the communiqué – including the need for developed countries to meet their aid commitments and explore innovative financing options, and the need to promote triangular partnerships that draw on the expertise and experience of big emerging economies in key areas like health and agriculture."

Gates also said he was encouraged by the G20's new multi-year Action Plan to address food security, and welcomed the first steps of implementation led by the French presidency, but warned that it was critical to continue to turn rhetorical commitments into resources and results.

"Nothing has greater potential to build broader global stability and long-term economic growth while making deep inroads into poverty than major new investments in boosting agricultural productivity in the developing world," Gates said.

Noting that the G20 represents the opportunity to bring all countries into the global economy, Gates stated, "I’m encouraged by the G20's strong commitment to build on the unprecedented progress in health and development achieved in the last decade and to improve the lives of the world’s poorest.”

The Billl & Melinda Gates Foundation stands ready to work with the Mexican Presidency (host of the 2012 G20 Summit) and other partners to turn the recommendations in the report into concrete actions that can increase global stability and put the poorest countries and people on a long-term path to economic growth and equity. These actions include further funding for agricultural research and support for the pioneering Global Agriculture and Food Security Program that can be implemented over the coming months.”