The European Parliament is set to host a series of critical discussions on global development, with a key event featuring Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation. On Tuesday, June 24, from 17:45 to 18:45 CET, MEPs from the Committee on Development, alongside colleagues from the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the Committee on Public Health, will engage in an exchange of views with Mr. Gates. This hour-long session will primarily focus on the pivotal role of official development assistance (ODA) and innovation as fundamental drivers for enhancing health and living standards across the Global South. This significant debate occurs amidst a challenging global context where major development donors, including the US administration and several EU member states, are reducing their aid budgets and questioning the efficacy of traditional ODA, thereby exacerbating an already critical global development financing gap estimated to be in the trillions of dollars. Since its establishment in 2000 by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, the Gates Foundation has evolved into one of the world's most prominent private philanthropic organizations, renowned for its strong dedication to public health initiatives in developing countries.

Following this high-profile exchange, the Committee on Development (DEVE) will convene a comprehensive meeting on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Room SPAAK (4B001), with sessions spanning from 9:00 to 18:30 CET, including in camera meetings. The agenda for this busy day encompasses a wide array of crucial topics. Early sessions will include the adoption of the agenda and minutes from previous meetings, along with chair's announcements. A significant discussion will be an exchange of views with Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP Africa, focusing on African development funding, particularly in light of ongoing ODA cuts.

Later in the day, a public hearing will be held on 'Decent and Sustainable Job Creation in Developing Countries: Measuring the Impact of EU Projects,' which underscores the European Union's commitment to fostering economic growth and stability. The committee will also receive a debriefing from the Chair and members of the delegation regarding their ad hoc visit to Mauritania, which took place from May 26-28, 2025. Furthermore, MEPs will consider a draft report titled 'Humanitarian aid in a time of polycrisis – reaffirming our principles for a more effective and ambitious response to humanitarian crises,' with a deadline for amendments set for July 3, 2025. An electronic vote is scheduled for a committee decision to request authorization to draw up an opinion on a Commission proposal (COM(2025)0173) for a Directive on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).

The day's agenda also includes an in camera session on Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) Mainstreaming Network and another private exchange of views on 'The future of humanitarian aid and development assistance in Gaza' with representatives from UNDP, UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and Save the Children. These intensive discussions highlight the European Parliament's ongoing efforts to address pressing global development challenges, from financial aid and health to environmental protection and humanitarian response. The next committee meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2025.