Over 60 artists performed at the Global Citizen Live concert in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Mumbai, London and Paris.
Tens of thousands of people attended concerts around the world, and millions more tuned in to the broadcast to watch performances by a range of artists across different genres, including Ed Sheeran, Lizzo, Jennifer Lopez, Coldplay and Billie Eilish.
The event kicked off on Saturday in Paris, where Elton John performed in front of the Eiffel Tower.
The show – believed to be one of the biggest-ever international charity events – was organised by Global Citizen, a charity working to end extreme poverty by 2030.
“Across six continents, artists will help rally citizens in demanding that governments, major corporations and philanthropists work together to defend the planet and defeat poverty,” Global Citizen said in a statement.
Following the show, Global Citizen announced 60 million COVID-19 vaccines would be donated, 157 million trees would be planted, and $1.1 billion would be committed to climate, famine and COVID-19 response efforts.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, took to the stage in New York’s Central Park, calling for equal access to COVID-19 vaccines.
“Every single person on this planet has a fundamental right to get this vaccine,” Markle said.
“The way you’re born should not dictate your ability to survive,” Prince Harry added.
They were followed by performances by singer Alessia Cara and pop veteran Cyndi Lauper, who sang a rendition of Girls Just Want To Have Fun, dedicated to Afghan women.
Rome glam-rockers Måneskin performed in Paris alongside Ed Sheeran, the Black Eyed Peas and Stormzy, while Stevie Wonder played in Los Angeles.
There were also pre-recorded performances from a huge number of stars, including Green Day, Kylie Minogue and Andrea Bocelli, from Florence.
In a recorded message, USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced the US would contribute more than $295 million “to stave off famine and extreme hunger, confront gender-based violence and address the urgent humanitarian needs the COVID-19 pandemic is leaving in its wake”.
French President Emmanuel Macron also pledged to double the number of coronavirus vaccines his country will send to poorer nations, to 120 million.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi also showed his support for the cause.
“Global Citizens understand that the welfare of their own country hinges on the welfare of the world,” he said.
“Unless we end the pandemic everywhere, we all face the risk of the emergence of new variants.
“Furthermore, we need to cut emissions.
“Accelerating climate change will be a danger for everyone.
“Desertification is a major threat for agriculture, and in turn malnutrition is a major health risk.
“Deforestation is pushing animals to live ever closer to humans, increasing the risk of new pandemics.
“These are truly global problems, and we must act decisively to address all of them.
“Future generations risk paying the heinous price for our failings.
“If this happens, they will ask themselves a simple question: Why didn’t our parents act sooner to stop climate change?
“We must take action. We owe it to the citizens of today, and, above all, the citizens of tomorrow.”
⭕️ Climate change is a global problem that needs a global solution. Thank you Italy 🇮🇹 #MarioDraghi
— Global Citizen Impact (@GlblCtznImpact) September 25, 2021
for committing to increase your climate financing ahead of #COP26 to ensure that all countries are equipped to adapt and mitigate towards a changing climate #GlobalCitizenLive pic.twitter.com/kGkauwCZmf
Italy has committed to increasing their climate financing ahead of COP26, the UN’s climate conference, to ensure that all countries are equipped to adapt to a changing climate.