UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has conferred the Order of Unity on Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, for his substantial efforts in humanitarian work and initiatives across the world.

 

While presenting the order to Bill Gates, during the international health forum, "Reaching the Last Mile – Mobilising Together to Eliminate Infectious Disease'' in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, commended Gates' sustained efforts to support humanitarian, health and development works, said a Wam news agency report.

 

He also lauded his long-standing partnership with programmes and projects launched by the UAE to assist communities reeling from the brunt of poverty and illness and to fight and prevent diseases.

 

In turn, Bill Gates expressed his appreciation to the UAE for honouring him, affirming that the long-standing partnership with the UAE and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, in particular, has delivered significant success in the prevention of diseases that struck children and women in a number of poor countries.

 

He emphasised his determination to stay committed to this humanitarian course.