World leaders harness star power at concert to battle Covid-19

European Commission teams up super stars to raise funds to strengthen the world’s health systems

FILE - In this April 11, 2018, file photo, actor Dwayne Johnson poses for photographers at the premiere of the "Rampage," in London. Johnson will host and Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Jennifer HudsoShow more

World leaders have teamed up with global film and music superstars to raise funds to fight Covid-19 and to raise awareness of the disproportionate effect the disease has had on marginalised communities.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Miley Cyrus and Coldplay were among the actors and artists that filled the star-studded line-up at The Global Goal: United for Our Future concert on Saturday.

The global entertainment event, broadcast and streamed simultaneously around the world, was organised by the European Commission and the international advocacy organisation Global Citizen, focused on securing further commitments on global equitable access to coronavirus vaccines, tests and treatments.

The event began with a leader-level pledging session in the afternoon followed by the virtual conference.

Before leaders and officials pledged billions of dollars in donations to bolster the world’s health systems, European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen called for equitable access around the world to a future Covid-19 vaccine.

“We will only end this pandemic when it has been ended everywhere and that means every person in the world having access to tests, treatments and vaccines no matter where they live or where they are from and what they look like,” she said.

“We need to invest in vaccines in an unprecedented speed and scale and task of this scale and size can only happen if this world unites. We need our best scientists to work together we need our global health organisations to join forces and we need governments, business and philanthropists to step in and provide funding.

“That's why the European Commission teamed up with Global Citizen and with artists. I trust their power to bring people together, to mobilise their energy and to trigger change,” Ms Von der Leyen added.

Commitments at the summit are aimed at organisations that develop tests, treatments and vaccines, as well as groups that will ensure the even delivery of these while strengthening health systems in the future.

In particular, the summit is aimed at building on donor conferences that have raised money for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi), which are at the forefront of developing and delivering a potential Covid-19 vaccine.

Speaking in an online panel before her performance, US popstar Miley Cyrus said she hoped to raise awareness and ensure everyone had the means to make the pandemic a crisis of the past.

“I have been really passionate about justice and equality and this campaign is all about making sure that everyone everywhere has access to the tools and solution to end Covid-19,” she said.

“As an artist that is very connected to my fans, I knew they wanted a way to make a difference and so urging them to take action and call on world leaders and decision makers especially in a time like this had made a very impact, huge difference,” Ms Cyrus added.