The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announces new Singapore presence to deepen partnerships across Southeast Asia in global health and development.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced plans to establish a physical presence in Singapore, signalling a deeper commitment to building strategic partnerships across Southeast Asia in the areas of global health, development, innovation, and philanthropy. The announcement was made during the Philanthropy Asia Summit, where the Foundation reaffirmed its long-standing engagement in Asia.
Backed by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the move aims to position Singapore as a regional hub for scaling impactful solutions that address complex development challenges, from healthcare access to technological innovation. Singapore’s strategic location, robust research ecosystem, and growing influence in the philanthropic landscape make it a natural choice for the Foundation’s regional base.
“As the Gates Foundation marks 25 years, we’re excited to strengthen our presence in Southeast Asia through Singapore,” said Hari Menon, Director for South and Southeast Asia at the Gates Foundation. “Singapore’s leadership in innovation and philanthropy makes it an ideal hub to help scale solutions that improve lives across the region and beyond.”
EDB Managing Director Jermaine Loy echoed this sentiment, stating, “We look forward to partnering with the Gates Foundation to scale impactful solutions across Southeast Asia and beyond. Singapore’s status as a hub for innovation and its strengths in healthcare, fintech and AI make it a compelling platform for regional development.”
The Foundation has been active in Asia for over 15 years, working alongside governments, NGOs, and regional institutions to support sustainable progress. Establishing a formal base in Singapore is intended to further accelerate work aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in public health, education, digital finance, and climate resilience.
