Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has issued a cautionary warning about the likelihood of another global pandemic within the next 25 years, provided the world avoids a large-scale war.

Speaking in an interview with CNBC’s Make It program, Gates expressed concerns about the growing global unrest and its potential to lead to a major conflict.

However, he pointed out that if a major war is averted, a future pandemic remains a serious possibility.

Gates’ perspective is informed by the world’s unpreparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed vulnerabilities in global health systems.

Reflecting on the lessons from the pandemic, Gates has joined other scientific and public health experts in expressing concern over how the world might respond to another health crisis.

Although the origins of the coronavirus remain a topic of debate, Gates and many experts believe that another pandemic could arise from a pathogen jumping from animals to humans, leading to a new infectious disease.

In the interview, Gates also addressed the United States’ response to COVID-19, noting that the country, which had been expected to lead by example, did not meet global expectations in its handling of the crisis.

His observations align with the themes of his 2022 book, How to Prevent the Next Pandemic, where he outlined strategies to improve global preparedness for future health emergencies.

In the book, Gates emphasized the need for enhanced quarantine measures, investment in vaccine research, and improved systems for managing the spread of diseases.

His warning serves as a reminder that despite the challenges of the past, more work is needed to ensure the world is better equipped for future pandemics.