MUMBAI: Joining illustrious predecessors including President Clinton, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Sir Terry Pratchett, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales, Bill Gates will deliver BBC One?s annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture on 29 January 2013.

In the Lecture, Gates will address how to ensure that every child has a chance of leading a healthy and productive life. Since the launch of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates has become a leading figure on the international development stage, seeking innovative solutions to extreme poverty and poor health in developing countries.

Driven by the belief that every life has equal value, the foundation has invested over $25 billion in grants since its inception.

The host of the Lecture alternates between leading broadcasters David and Jonathan Dimbleby, two of Richard?s children who followed in their father?s legendary footsteps. This year Jonathan will host the event, the 37th.

Dimbleby said, "Bill Gates is one of the world?s greatest entrepreneurs and most generous philanthropists. In our troubled times, it is fantastic news that he has agreed to deliver this year?s Richard Dimbleby Lecture."