Prabowo Commends Bill Gates for USD 159 Million Contribution to Indonesia’s Development

President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, expressed his deep appreciation to Bill Gates for his substantial financial support aimed at enhancing Indonesia’s development across key sectors. Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates has contributed over USD 159 million—equivalent to approximately IDR 2.62 trillion—since 2009.

The statement was made during a meeting between Prabowo, Bill Gates, and Indonesian business leaders at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (May 7, 2025). The meeting discussed opportunities for collaboration between the public and private sectors and emphasized the importance of global partnerships in tackling sustainable development challenges.

Of the total contribution, around USD 119 million was allocated to the health sector. This support included efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s healthcare system, promote medical research, and enhance vaccine production by state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma (Persero). Thanks to this collaboration, Bio Farma now produces approximately 2 billion vaccine doses annually, supplying 42 countries and reaching over 902 million people.

In addition to health, Gates’ funding has been directed to agriculture and technology, each receiving USD 5 million. These efforts aim to boost food security and drive technological innovation—two critical areas for Indonesia’s resilience in the face of global challenges. Meanwhile, more than USD 28 million was directed toward cross-sectoral social programs, including education and poverty alleviation.

During the meeting, Prabowo also revealed that Gates is currently supporting the development of a tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, which is expected to undergo clinical trials in Indonesia. This effort is part of a global initiative to eradicate TB, which remains a leading cause of death in the country.

As part of his visit, Bill Gates is scheduled to continue his agenda on Thursday (May 8, 2025), including visits to several Gates Foundation–supported projects in Indonesia. This visit highlights Gates’ long-standing commitment to inclusive and sustainable development in the country.