Coronavirus Global Response: world leaders summit and concert line-up to be held today

An outstanding concert is going to be held tonight starting at 10 PM as part of the ‘Global Goal: Unite For Our Future' campaign launched by the European Union and the international advocacy organisation Global Citizen on 28 May, the EU Delegation to Georgia reports.

The concert will follow the global pledging summit gathering world leaders as a Coronavirus Global Response taking place today.

The aim is to mobilise additional funding to develop and deploy coronavirus vaccines, tests, and treatments. Access to vaccines everywhere, for everyone who needs them, will enable the world to overcome this pandemic and avoid another. It will also help rebuild communities impacted by the pandemic in a fair and just way.

The Concert will air this evening and will be hosted by actor Dwayne Johnson. It will include performances by Shakira, Coldplay, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and Quavo, J Balvin, Chloe x Halle, Yemi Alade, and Christine and the Queens.

Co-hosted by President Ursula von der Leyen, the concert will also include appearances by Chris Rock, Hugh Jackman, Kerry Washington, Charlize Theron, Forest Whitaker, David Beckham, Salma Hayek Pinault, Billy Porter, Diane Kruger, Antoni Porowski, Ken Jeong, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Olivia Colman.

As for the summit - Global Goal: Unite for Our Future, it will be hosted by President von der Leyen and will include interventions by world leaders, as well as international advocates, artists, and activists.

Will join the discussion in panels and interviews: Nickolaj Coster-Waldau, Miley Cyrus, Angelique Kidjo, Ken Jeong, and experts and thought leaders including Melinda Gates, Dr. Vin Gupta, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, Eddie Ndopu, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Kate Upton and Justin Verlander.

The concert can be watched on the Coronavirus Global Response's website and on the European Commission's social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

The summit will be streamed on Global Goal Unite's website and on the same social media accounts.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Artists have the power to inspire change. They use their talents to serve great causes. On 27 June, at the ‘Global Goal: Unite for our Future' Summit and Concert, artists, scientists, and world leaders will speak with one voice, in a true and rare moment of global unity. They will commit to helping the world end coronavirus while leaving no one behind. The European Union is fully committed to ensuring fair access to an affordable vaccine, as soon as possible, for everyone that needs it. United, I know we can make the world a safer place.”

Hugh Evans, Co-Founder, and CEO of Global Citizen said: “Global Citizens around the world are calling for systemic change, change that brings about justice for everyone, everywhere, regardless of where they were born or the colour of their skin. If we are to end COVID-19 for all, we need our world leaders to commit the billions of dollars needed to equitably deliver testing, treatments, and vaccines, Global Goal: Unite for Our Future—The Concert' will bring the centuries-old concept of music as a motivator for change and unity, together with science and data, to honour the problem-solvers – including doctors, scientists, lab workers, essential workers, and human rights advocates – who are racing to not only create the cure for COVID-19 but also to ensure that it's available for everyone who needs it.”

The Global Goal: Unite for our Future campaign was launched on 28 May under the patronage of President Ursula von der Leyen. The campaign, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust, focuses on addressing the pandemic's impact on the most vulnerable communities, ensuring equitable access to affordable coronavirus technologies and strengthening health systems everywhere.