Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has announced plans to award Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, Indonesia's highest national honor medal to recognize his significant contributions to Indonesia and humanity.
Prabowo stated on Wednesday, while receiving Gates at the Jakarta Merdeka Palace, that Gates deserves this honor for his long-term support of vaccine development in Indonesia and various empowerment projects for the populace through the leadership of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
"I will convene the National Honor Medal Council because I wish to award our highest medal to a foreigner who has made contributions to the Indonesian people and the global community on behalf of the Indonesian nation," Prabowo said.
He pointed out that the award ceremony is expected to take place in September this year in New York.
"Many important figures on our side have expressed their support because you truly deserve this honor. Thank you for your contribution to human society," he said to Gates.
Prabowo also emphasized that since 2009, the Gates Foundation has provided over $159 million in support to Indonesia, covering development in health, agriculture, and technology sectors.
He added that these funds have helped Indonesian state-owned pharmaceutical company Bio Farma to produce vaccines on a large scale annually and distribute them to 42 countries worldwide, benefiting 902 million people.
Prabowo stated on Wednesday, while receiving Gates at the Jakarta Merdeka Palace, that Gates deserves this honor for his long-term support of vaccine development in Indonesia and various empowerment projects for the populace through the leadership of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
"I will convene the National Honor Medal Council because I wish to award our highest medal to a foreigner who has made contributions to the Indonesian people and the global community on behalf of the Indonesian nation," Prabowo said.
He pointed out that the award ceremony is expected to take place in September this year in New York.
"Many important figures on our side have expressed their support because you truly deserve this honor. Thank you for your contribution to human society," he said to Gates.
Prabowo also emphasized that since 2009, the Gates Foundation has provided over $159 million in support to Indonesia, covering development in health, agriculture, and technology sectors.
He added that these funds have helped Indonesian state-owned pharmaceutical company Bio Farma to produce vaccines on a large scale annually and distribute them to 42 countries worldwide, benefiting 902 million people.