Global Citizen, the prominent international advocacy organization dedicated to eradicating extreme poverty, has unveiled the lineup for the highly anticipated 2024 Global Citizen Festival. The event is scheduled to take place on September 28th at Central Park’s Great Lawn in New York City.
Headlining this year’s festival are Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, and Rauw Alejandro. Additional performers will be announced in the upcoming weeks. Serving as the event host is Global Citizen Ambassador Hugh Jackman, with special appearances expected from Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace, and Global Citizen Festival Curator Chris Martin of Coldplay.
The festival aims to address critical global issues including the escalating hunger crisis, the spread of infectious diseases, rising debt levels, and record-breaking temperatures in recent years. Amidst declining government contributions to foreign aid by several G7 nations, Global Citizen stresses the urgency of supporting frontline organizations and implementing life-saving solutions.
Attendees can secure tickets to the Global Citizen Festival for free by taking action through the Global Citizen app or website, demanding change from governments and private sector leaders. This year’s event will unite global citizens worldwide to advocate for:
Defeating Poverty: Global Citizen urges G7 countries—Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the UK, and the US—to boost their support for anti-poverty programs, proposing a minimum 25% increase in contributions to the International Development Association (IDA). This initiative aims to benefit over 1.5 billion people, facilitating access to electricity for 250 million individuals by 2030 and addressing malnutrition affecting millions annually.
Defending the Planet: The organization calls for a $1 billion investment to protect and restore the Amazon rainforest, crucial for its role as a significant carbon sink. Additionally, Global Citizen urges the EU and G20 countries to establish clear timelines for phasing out coal, oil, and gas, aligning with climate commitments made at COP meetings.
Demanding Equity: Efforts are focused on ensuring equitable access to nutritious food, robust health systems, and quality education. Governments are urged to collectively commit at least $5 billion to organizations striving for universal access to essential services. Funding for Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, is also crucial to reach over 14 million children worldwide who have never received life-saving vaccines.
Hugh Evans, Co-Founder & CEO of Global Citizen, emphasized the critical importance of these initiatives, stating, “There’s undoubtedly a divide between what the world needs to end extreme poverty and what currently feels possible. Our mission has never been more critical.”
The 2024 Global Citizen Festival is supported by over 90 organizations and leading media companies globally, with endorsements from political leaders like Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, underscoring its pivotal role in addressing humanitarian and environmental crises on a global scale.