"After careful consideration, I have decided to present this honorary award to Bill Gates," Prabowo said following their meeting at a hotel in New York on Tuesday.
He praised Gates for his extensive support to the country, particularly in research, the development of high-quality seeds, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines.
According to Prabowo, Gates' direct assistance to Indonesia is valued at around Rp7 to Rp8 trillion (about US$500 million), while the broader impact of his contributions is estimated at US$4.5 billion.
The president noted that Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, has been in ongoing communication with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to explore opportunities for collaboration on humanitarian projects. These initiatives, he said, focus on supporting vulnerable communities, combating poverty and hunger, and expanding access to education.
"Education is the key to our future," Prabowo emphasized.
The meeting took place shortly after Prabowo delivered his address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly Debate Session at the UN Headquarters in New York. Their discussion lasted about 15 minutes, after which Prabowo returned to the headquarters for a series of closed-door meetings.
In May, Bill Gates visited Indonesia to discuss sustainable development initiatives, with particular focus on global health, nutrition, financial inclusion, and public digital infrastructure.
During that visit, Prabowo expressed his intention to bestow Indonesia's highest honorary distinction on Gates, recognizing his service not only to the Indonesian people but also to the world.
Prabowo said Gates is "truly deserving" of the honor, noting that through his foundation, Gates has consistently provided funding for vaccine development and empowerment programs in Indonesia.
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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Anton Santoso
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