Bill Gates praises Prince Alwaleed’s generous move

Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) and chairman of Alwaleed Philanthropies (AP), met Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at the George V, Paris.

During the meeting, Prince Alwaleed and Gates discussed the latest economic developments in addition to topics related to KHC’s international investments including its stake of 47.5 percent in the Four Seasons which is co-owned by Bill Gates’ Cascade with a 47.5 percent stake, which the remaining 5 percent is owned by Isadore Sharp. Also, the two discussed future potential collaboration. 

In response to Prince Alwaleed’s recent announcement to pledge his wealth ($32 billion) to philanthropy over the coming years, Bill Gates commented: “Prince Alwaleed’s generous commitment promises to significantly extend the great work that his foundation is already doing. His gift is an inspiration to all of us working in philanthropy around the world.”

In 2013, Alwaleed Philanthropies had signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC) in a unique partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to bolster the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Alwaleed Philanthropies pledged $30 million to that effort.
In May 2015, Prince Alwaleed attended the 19th Microsoft CEO Summit held at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond Campus in Washington, Seattle. The prince’s visit was in response to an invitation from Bill Gates. 
Prince Alwaleed has significant investments in the US in the financial sector.