Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, left, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speak at Global Citizen Live in Central Park on Saturday, September 25, 2021 in New York City. Global Citizen Live, a 24-hour concert featuring Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Lopez, BTS and Elton John and dozens of other stars, raised $ 1.1 billion in pledges and pledges over the week -end to fight against extreme poverty. Broadcasting from sites on six continents, including Central Park in New York and in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Global Citizen has also secured commitments from France for 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for developing countries and commitments companies for the planting of 157 million trees around the world. Vaccine promises, which also came from the governments of Croatia and Ireland, followed numerous calls, including from Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, on stage in Central Park on Saturday.
Singer Demi Lovato performs at Global Citizen Live 2021 on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. The 24-hour live event took place across six continents and featured artists and celebrities raising awareness about poverty, climate change and the need for better access to COVID-19 vaccine doses in the world. world.
By GLENN GAMBOA AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) – Global Citizen Live, a 24-hour concert featuring Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Lopez, BTS and Elton John and dozens of other stars, has raised more than $ 1.1 billion in commitments and promises over the weekend to fight extreme poverty.
Broadcasting from sites on six continents, including Central Park in New York and in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Global Citizen has also secured commitments from France for 60 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for developing countries and commitments companies for the planting of 157 million trees around the world.
Vaccine promises, which also came from the governments of Croatia and Ireland, followed numerous calls, including from Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, on stage in Central Park on Saturday afternoon.
“This year the world is expected to produce enough doses to meet the goal of vaccinating 70% of people in each country,” Meghan, Duchess of Sussex said, to cheers from the Central Park crowd. “But it is wrong that such a large part of the vaccine supply has so far only gone to 10 rich countries, and not everyone.”
The U.S. government has pledged $ 295 million for global humanitarian needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Major philanthropic commitments came from the Lego Foundation, which pledged $ 150 million to support UNICEF and other partners working with children, and Rotary International, which pledged $ 98 million in grants in 2022.