A concert for a good cause. International stars of music, cinema, sports or fashion joined this Saturday June 27 in an online concert to fund research for the creation of a vaccine against the coronavirus and its availability of the poorest people on the planet. Shakira, Usher, Justin Bieber, Coldplay and the Frenchwoman Christine and the Queens, among others, will give voice in turn.
The #GlobalGoalUnite Concert is LIVE, hosted by Dwayne @therock Johnson! Tune in to watch artists, comedians, activists, and more unite to support equal access to COVID-19 aid for everyone, everywhere. Let’s build a better future: https://t.co/AQFKWGWXjE https://t.co/KhzbVh71sD
— Global Citizen (@GlblCtzn) June 27, 2020
The European Commission, in collaboration with the organization headquartered in the United States Global Citizen, sponsored this virtual event intended to generate financial contributions. In total, according to the European Union, 40 governments helped with the preparations.
16 billion already harvested
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, inaugurated it by announcing having obtained 6.15 billion euros on Saturday, including 4.9 billion from the European Investment Bank, in partnership with the Commission.
Earlier, on May 4, during a first summit organized to raise funds, the EU, governments and wealthy philanthropists had pledged to contribute around ten billion euros. This already makes almost 16 billion euros in total.
“We will not end this pandemic until it is over everywhere”, said Ursula von der Leyen at the opening of this virtual event.
“And that means that everyone in the world has access to tests, treatments and vaccines no matter where they live, where they come from and how they look”, she continued.
Actors also involved
Dwayne « The Rock » Johnson, a former professional wrestler turned actor, will host a concert on Saturday which will be broadcast on the internet.
Salma Hayek, Charlize Theron, Forest Whitaker and David Beckham will also participate.
Philanthropist Melinda Gates and Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus were also involved.
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