At a recent meeting of world leaders in France, one of the most active billionaire philanthropists in the world called on those in attendance to do more to help the most impoverished countries.

At the G20 Summit in Cannes, Bill Gates presented a report that highlighted how important it was for rich countries to make good on their promises to financially assist nations that are in need. Lowering the rates of poverty globally, Gates contended, means that countries will need to follow through.

"If the countries that have made promises stick to them, it will generate an additional $80 billion annually starting in 2015," Gates said. "Well-designed aid reduces poverty right now and accelerates poor countries' progress toward the moment when they no longer need it."

He also pointed to several countries - including Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil and China - as possible candidates to make additional progress in global donations.

The Microsoft founder has been putting his own money where his mouth is in recent days. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged tens of millions of dollars to help eradicate polio.