International advocacy organisation Global Citizen and the European Commission (EC) has announced Global Goal: Unite for Our Future, a global campaign to coordinate the development of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines, and to ensure equitable access to everyone, everywhere. The campaign, launched under the patronage of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will focus on mitigating the pandemic’s impact on those living in poverty and seek to put the world back on track for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An international pledging summit on Saturday, June 27, 2020 will give governments, corporate leaders and philanthropists a platform to make their commitments toward the fair distribution of COVID-19 tools and treatments.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “The more and quicker we mobilise resources and join forces, the higher the chances of getting a vaccine for all within our reach. The world needs to come out stronger from this pandemic. We should be more prepared to face such a crisis in the future, with fair access to medicine and strong health systems everywhere around the earth. This is a global challenge and it requires truly global mobilisation.”
World leaders from France, South Africa, Germany, Norway, Canada, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and New Zealand, along with foundations and philanthropists, joined the European Union (EU) in a rallying call for an investment of billions towards the development and equitable distribution of COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines.
The Global Goal: Unite for Our Future campaign will also be supported by leading names in entertainment from around the globe, including: Adam Lambert, Chloe x Halle, Chris Rock, Coldplay, Dionne Warwick, Femi Kuti, Fher of Maná, Hugh Jackman, Idris & Sabrina Elba, J Balvin, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Lang Lang, Miley Cyrus, Padma Lakshmi, Rachel Brosnahan and Shakira. These artists and entertainers will help rally the public to call on world leaders to commit the funding needed to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 tools and treatments.
The Global Goal: Unite for Our Future campaign is an urgent and critical next step in what international health organisations estimate will ultimately cost tens of billions of dollars to protect the global population against COVID-19. Global Citizen, the European Commission, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust are collaborating for this campaign.
HUGH EVANS, Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen stated, “Around the world, people are desperate to resume a greater semblance of normalcy, spend time with friends and loved ones, venture safely outside their homes and to earn a decent wage. To make this a reality, we need to make COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines available to everyone, everywhere. The critical work done by scientists globally, the efforts to distribute solutions regardless of cost, income or geography, and the need to rebuild economies in the poorest countries, all require a massive increase in funding. No one is safe until everyone is safe.”
Earlier this month, more than 40 countries – as well as various United Nations (UN) bodies and philanthropies – pledged billions towards the research and development of COVID-19 solutions at a virtual summit convened by the EU. The Global Goal: Unite for Our Future campaign is the next step in a marathon effort to strengthen global health systems and support the vital work of groups including: CEPI, FIND, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund, the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation, UNITAID and other Global Goal: Unite for Our Future agencies, funds and programs. These groups will help to distribute tests, treatments and vaccines to frontline health workers and those most vulnerable to the virus around the world.
Producers of Global Goal: Unite for Our Future, include: Michele Anthony of Universal Music Group, Declan Kelly of Teneo, Live Nation, Scooter Braun and SB Projects, Adam Leber on behalf of Maverick, The Lede Company and Jay Brown on behalf of Roc Nation.
Last month Global Citizen, together with Lady Gaga, announced $127.9 million in commitments to support healthcare workers in the fight against COVID-19. Corporate partners and philanthropists announced their support for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation, and several other frontline organizations, during the One World: Together At Home global broadcast event that saw more than 300 million people tune in across 175 countries.
