Music megastars and politicians came together to raise awareness about social issues at the Global Citizen Live event on Saturday.
The 24-hour show seeks to collect donations from countries and companies for a more equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines and the fight against climate change and poverty.
Pop star performances take place in cities around the world, including Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Mumbai and Johannesburg.
Elton John, who nearly canceled his performance after a hip injury, Stevie Wonder, Billie Eilish, Coldplay and South Korean boy band BTS are among more than 70 international music stars attending the concert.
Elton John performed in Paris
Prince Harry and Meghan also made an appearance at the event in New York.
European leaders make commitments
Several European leaders have pledged to pledge to increase funding for the climate, COVID vaccines and food security.
The European Commission has pledged to increase funding for food security and climate adaptation to € 140 million ($ 164 million).
“We must join forces to end the pandemic, fight hunger, give children all over the world a level playing field and stop global warming,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The Netherlands has pledged 25 million euros to help countries strengthen their health systems and 75 million euros to a global research partnership to fight poverty.
French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to donate 120 million doses of the COVID vaccine, double the 60 million previously pledged, to low-income countries.
“The injustice is that on other continents, clearly, vaccination is very late. In Africa, barely 3% of the population has been vaccinated – we have to go faster,” Macron said in a statement. video broadcast during the concert. .
What is Global Citizen Live?
The annual event is organized by the international advocacy organization Global Citizen.
The group describes itself as a movement with a mission to end extreme poverty by 2030 and says it aims to create a just, sustainable and healthy world for all.
Tens of thousands of people won tickets to this year’s concerts by signing up to the Global Citizen app and sharing its posts on social media.
Proof of COVID vaccination or negative testing was required for participation.
fb / msh (AFP, dpa)
