We make the future sustainable when we invest in the poor, not when we insist on their suffering.

Analysis

The exact quote appears in the 2014 Gates Foundation Annual Letter, where Bill Gates emphasizes the importance of investing in the poor to create a sustainable future. The letter explicitly advocates for global health and development as key drivers of progress. No evidence suggests the quote is fabricated or taken out of context.

Background

The Gates Foundation Annual Letter is a yearly publication by Bill and Melinda Gates outlining their priorities and reflections on global development. The 2014 letter focused on myths that block progress for the poor, including the idea that aid is ineffective.

Verdict summary

Bill Gates did make this statement in the Gates Foundation Annual Letter of 2014.

Sources consulted