NEW YORK — Global Citizen surpassed its fundraising goals for Amazon rainforest protection, African energy access, and community education at the antipoverty nonprofit’s annual music festival in New York’s Central Park. The event was headlined by Shakira and late addition Cardi B.
Internationally recognized actors and foreign diplomats appealed to the crowd of more than 60,000 between high-energy sets by artists from around the globe. Scheduled at the end of the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level meetings, the festival hammered home the message that everyday attendees, too, could influence the world leaders convening this week.
“This may seem quite ambitious on the surface. But I know for a fact that when we unite, we make noise that leads to real change. When you take action, governments and corporations listen, policies change, financial investments are made and progress happens,” host Hugh Jackman said at the top of the show.
### Boost for African Renewable Energy
Efforts to tap into the African continent’s high potential for renewable power received a significant boost. Global Citizen announced they had secured enough commitments to provide clean energy for 4.6 million homes across Africa.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed that the EU would provide more than $638 million to develop climate-friendly energy production. Additionally, Energea, a renewable energy investment platform, pledged $250 million toward projects over the next five years.
Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, who donned her reading glasses for a serious moment amid her otherwise lively performance, shared a personal story about growing up waiting until 6 p.m. for electricity. “But even I was lucky, OK? Some children in Africa have no access to light at all,” she said. “No child should be left in the dark. They need light to work, study, practice. They need light to reach their dreams and watch their favorite TV shows. That’s why energy matters.”
### Celebrity Advocacy and Funding Announcements
The program frequently paired celebrities and performers with causes close to them. American soccer star Carli Lloyd helped announce the MetLife Foundation’s $9 million contribution to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Actresses Kristin Bell and Danai Gurira emphasized the urgent need to end sexual violence in war zones.
Global Citizen also revealed more than $280 million committed toward protecting the Amazon rainforest. This included a $100 million pledge from the Inter-American Development Bank for its Amazonia Forever sustainable development program.
To highlight the rainforest’s critical importance, actress Liza Koshy and celebrity scientist Bill Nye engaged the audience in a playful segment asking them to hold their breath, symbolizing the Amazon as the “lungs of the Earth.”
During Camilo’s set, the Colombian singer underscored that protecting the rainforest is everyone’s responsibility—not just his country’s concern.
### Solidarity Amid Global Crises
Infrequent references to the war in Gaza elicited some of the crowd’s loudest cheers. Palestinian singer Elyanna, who opened the show, expressed her desire “to pray for my homeland in Palestine.” She added, “So many countries, and so many people around the world are suffering. They don’t have their basic needs. And that’s what we’re all here for.”
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed took the stage following performances by South African singer Tyla, who performed her Grammy-winning song “Water,” Nigerian star Rema, who surprised the crowd with his global hit “Calm Down,” and Rosé, whose acoustic set included the popular track “APT.”
Mohammed stressed that “what really matters is to give peace a chance” in Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, and everywhere. She told festivalgoers, “The world needs people like you. It needs your energy to refuse to accept when people say that’s just how it is, your vision that sees solutions where others see dead ends and your voice that cuts through the noise demanding for everyone to do better and not accepting the globalization of indifference.”
### A Call for Unity and Service
Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans emphasized the importance of hope and collective action. “There’s been an erosion of the social contract that many people thought was a given—the basic principle that we help our neighbor, that we rebuild nations and that we lift up those who are less fortunate,” he told The Associated Press.
“We need to restore that idea of service above self, of caring for our neighbor—both our neighbor locally and our neighbor globally.”
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The Philadelphia Tribune hosted its 2025 Most Influential African Americans event on Thursday evening, September 18, 2025. The event celebrates and honors Black Philadelphians making significant impacts throughout the area.
https://www.phillytrib.com/entertainment/tyla-and-liza-koshy-help-remind-the-global-citizen-festival-audience-of-their-collective-power/article_91e7b5fb-7916-4552-9fd7-e84400d77191.html
