Mark Suzman, Gates Foundation: Countries should be embarrassed

About this episode

Mark Suzman discusses the Gates Foundation's role in global health funding and the implications of reduced aid spending by governments.

“The fact that we are now the world's largest funder of the World Health Organisation should be a major embarrassment to every country on this planet.” Sam Fenwick speaks to Mark Suzman, CEO of Gates Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropic organisation, about why he thinks cuts to global aid spending is costing lives. He says the Foundation has overtaken world governments to become the largest financial backer of the WHO. Last year, the United States scaled back parts of its overseas aid budget. It wasn’t the only county to do so, with many governments including the UK, Germany, France and Japan all spending less. For an institution with little democratic accountability, Mark Suzman is asked whether there is too much reliance on the Gates Foundation globally and whether its priorities are the right ones. Thank you to the Business Daily team for its help in making this programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews from the BBC, including episodes with Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, and Samantha Power, former US Ambassador to UN. You can listen on the…

People in this episode

Host: Sam Fenwick

Guest: Mark Suzman

Topics covered

• global health
• philanthropy
• aid spending
• WHO funding
• government accountability

Keywords

• Gates Foundation
• WHO
• global aid
• Mark Suzman
• health funding
• philanthropy
• government spending

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Gates Foundation, World Health Organisation

Places: United States, UK, Germany, France, Japan

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