Bill and Melinda Gates attend the night session of swimming on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Bill Gates has teamed up with the Japan Sports Agency and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in an effort to boost global sustainability efforts. Gates announced the partnership at an event in Tokyo last Friday, and urged Japan to become a leader in aiding global health initiatives.
A total of 17 sustainable development goals were set by the United Nations in 2015. They consist of objectives such as ending extreme poverty and effectively combating climate change by 2030. Gates said at last week’s event that Japan currently spends around three to five percent of its aid budget on global health, but that the upcoming Summer Games presents an opportunity for the country to increase awareness of the UN’s sustainable development goals and take a lead in solving global health issues.
“The sports community in Japan is fast approaching an exciting moment, as the eyes of the world will be on Tokyo as the Olympics get nearer,” Gates said. “I am excited that you are using this opportunity to raise awareness and be ambassadors for a better world.”
Gates was joined on stage at the event by Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori. Specific details on Gates’ partnership with Tokyo 2020 are expected to be announced in 2019, according to Reuters.
“The opportunity for Japan is, even in a time when many countries are turning inward, to continue to say that we need to help those that are not doing as well,” Gates said. “The whole world loves sports and we have to be creative in how we take those amazing achievements and use that to remind people that there are some who are facing big challenges.”
