On September 27, 2025, more than 60,000 people filled the Great Lawn of Central Park in New York City, gathering for the annual Global Citizen Festival—a day where music, activism, and hope for a better world collided in spectacular fashion. The festival, which coincided with the conclusion of the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level meetings, wasn’t just about star power. It was about collective action and the tangible impact ordinary people can have on global challenges.
Headlined by Shakira and a late addition, Cardi B, the event boasted an impressive lineup that included ROSÉ of BLACKPINK, Rema, Ayra Starr, Mariah the Scientist, Tyla, Camilo, and Elyanna. Yet, the true headline was the festival’s astonishing success in mobilizing resources and commitments: more than $280 million pledged to protect the Amazon rainforest, over $30 million raised for education and sports access for children in more than 200 communities, and a promise to bring clean energy to 4.6 million homes across Africa (as reported by Billboard and the Associated Press).
The festival’s message was clear: anyone, anywhere, can influence change. As Hugh Jackman, the event’s host, put it, “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.” According to the Associated Press, this sentiment was echoed throughout the event, with both celebrities and international leaders urging the crowd not to underestimate their collective power.
United Nations Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed took the stage to remind festivalgoers of the urgency of their mission. With just five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, she didn’t mince words: “We still have a ways to go. We're moving, but it's just not fast enough and the clock is ticking really loud.” Mohammed, who played a pivotal role in shaping the Goals in 2015, emphasized that $4.3 trillion is needed annually to finance these ambitions and ensure no one is left behind (as reported by the United Nations News Service).
Mohammed’s address resonated deeply, especially as she called for peace in conflict zones: “What really matters is to give peace a chance for the women in Sudan, for the children in Gaza, for the people in Ukraine. We need peace everywhere.” She also advocated for closing the digital divide, empowering women in decision-making, and protecting the planet—from the Amazon to the Congo and beyond. “The world needs people like you,” she told the crowd, urging them to “cut through the noise, demanding for everyone to do better and not accepting the globalization of indifference.”
That call to action was more than just rhetoric. According to Billboard, the festival broke all previous action-taking records, with Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen, stating, “We’re proud to celebrate the achievements of this evening, but the work to end extreme poverty doesn’t stop here. As our movement grows, from Central Park to the Amazon Basin and the G20, Global Citizen will continue to drive action towards achieving our mission.”
Major financial commitments underscored the night’s momentum. The European Commission pledged over $638 million for climate-friendly energy production in Africa, while Energea, a renewable energy investment platform, committed $250 million to projects over the next five years (Associated Press). The MetLife Foundation announced a $9 million contribution to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, supporting education and sports programs for children around the world. In total, more than $280 million was dedicated to protecting 25 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest, including a $100 million pledge from the Inter-American Development Bank for its Amazonia Forever program.
Music, of course, was at the heart of the event. Shakira opened her set with an electrifying performance of “She Wolf,” complete with a visual transformation that blurred the lines between human and wolf, capturing the crowd’s imagination. Her fashion also made headlines—she wore knee-high black leather slouchy boots with a concealed wedge heel and a checkered mini set in navy and burgundy, a look that showcased both her style evolution and her enduring stage presence (as detailed by WWD).
Cardi B, despite being heavily pregnant, brought her trademark energy, opening with “Outside” from her new album and closing with “I Like It.” At one point, she tossed her leather biker crop top into the audience, declaring, “I’m hot AF up here,” according to Billboard. ROSÉ delivered a dreamy, stripped-down set, enchanting fans with emotional renditions of “APT,” “2 Years,” and a cover of The Cranberries’ “Linger.”
The festival also celebrated global musical diversity. Afrobeats stars Rema and Ayra Starr lit up the stage with a surprise collaboration, performing “Baby (Is it a Crime)” and “Calm Down.” The audience responded by turning on their phone flashlights, creating a sea of light across Central Park. South African sensation Tyla performed her Grammy-winning hit “Water” not once, but twice, after pausing to ensure the safety of a fan in need. Her energy and charisma turned the park into a massive dance floor, as reported by Billboard.
Beyond the music, the festival spotlighted urgent issues. Ayra Starr, during her set, shared a personal story about growing up in Nigeria: “But even I was lucky, OK? Some children in Africa have no access to light at all. 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.” Her words underscored the importance of the festival’s commitment to expanding energy access across the continent.
Other celebrities and advocates used their platform to address global challenges. American soccer star Carli Lloyd announced the MetLife Foundation’s $9 million donation for education. Actresses Kristen Bell and Danai Gurira spoke out against sexual violence in war. Liza Koshy and celebrity scientist Bill Nye engaged the audience in a comedic bit about the Amazon being the “lungs of the Earth,” reinforcing the message that environmental protection is everyone’s responsibility.
Palestinian singer Elyanna opened the show with a heartfelt prayer for her homeland, reminding attendees that countless people around the world still lack basic necessities. United Nations Deputy Secretary General Mohammed’s words echoed this sentiment, urging the crowd to refuse complacency and envision solutions where others see only obstacles.
As the sun set over Central Park, the 2025 Global Citizen Festival left a powerful impression: real change happens when people come together, demand better, and refuse to give up. The event’s record-breaking fundraising and action-taking set a new standard for what’s possible when music and activism unite on the world stage.
