<p>A "once-in-a-generation" music event circled the world Saturday, with a slew of megastars taking the stage in New York and beyond for Global Citizen Live -- 24 hours of shows across the planet to raise awareness on climate change, vaccine equality, and famine.</p>.<p>Between star-studded sets of some of the biggest names in music -- including Elton John, BTS, Coldplay, Lizzo, Jennifer Lopez, and Billie Eilish -- actors, politicians, company executives, royals, actors and activists made appeals or announced donations to tackle major global challenges.</p>.<p>NGO Global Citizen wants one billion trees planted, two billion vaccines delivered to the poorest countries, and meals for 41 million people on the brink of starvation.</p>.<p>After the show ended in Paris and was handed off to New York, Britain's Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, took to the stage to advocate for Covid-19 vaccine access to be treated "as a basic human right."</p>.<p>"My wife and I believe the way you're born should not dictate your ability to survive," the Duke of Sussex said to cheers from the thousands-strong crowd at Central Park.</p>.<p>The Duke and Duchess of Sussex followed pop veteran Cyndi Lauper with a rendition of her "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" dedicated to Afghan women.</p>.<p>As night fell, the crowd swelled and attendees roared for shows from headliners, including Eilish, who bounded around the stage in her staple T-shirt and shorts ensemble.</p>.<p>Between sets, funding announcements poured in, and calls to action were hammered home, even from the International Space Station.</p>.<p>USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced in a recorded message the United States would "contribute more than $295 million to countries around the world to stave off famine and extreme hunger, confront gender-based violence and address the urgent humanitarian needs the Covid-19 pandemic is leaving in its wake."</p>.<p>Global Citizen co-founder and CEO Hugh Evans urged the audience to "take action" to help raise $6 billion needed by the World Food Programme, tackle vaccine inequality and pressure leaders ahead of the UN COP26 climate change conference in November.</p>.<p>"Charity alone... will never be sufficient to end extreme poverty or tackle climate change," he said.</p>.<p>"The actions of a movement of people is needed to drive lasting change."</p>.<p>After an appearance by renowned 92-year-old American biologist Edward O. Wilson, the show moved to Los Angeles, opened by pop band 5 Seconds of Summer at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, with Demi Lovato, Adam Lambert, and Stevie Wonder, among others, also billed.</p>.<p>Lead vocalist Luke Hemmings celebrated being in their first concert in almost two years "and for an honorable cause."</p>.<p>"This is an amazing thing to witness and be part of."</p>.<p>The broadcast on social media opened with a pre-recorded performance by pop superstars BTS in Seoul before the show kicked off in Paris with Elton John.</p>.<p>The "Rocketman" performed hits including "Tiny Dancer" and "Your Song" in front of the Eiffel Tower in a dazzling green suit.</p>.<p>"No one should be left behind," said the 74-year-old pop legend, who appeared despite a hip injury that forced him to cancel the rest of his tour dates this year.</p>.<p>Ed Sheeran was the headliner in Paris alongside Black Eyed Peas and Stormzy.</p>.<p>The concerts required Covid-19 vaccination proof or negative tests.</p>.<p>Pre-recorded performances were also delivered by Green Day in Los Angeles, DJ superstar Alok in Rio, Kylie Minogue in London, and Andrea Bocelli in Tuscany.</p>.<p>This week's comeback gig by The Fugees in New York -- their first in 15 years -- was also billed as part of the event.</p>.<p>Global Citizen has been behind other high-profile charity events, including a concert earlier this year that called for global Covid-19 vaccinations.</p>.<p>The organization describes itself as a movement with a mission to end extreme poverty by 2030.</p>.<p>Its app uses incentives such as concert tickets to encourage users into pressuring governments on issues around sustainability and equality.</p>.<p>The New York event included tributes to other major benefit concerts, with Chinese global superstar pianist Lang Lang performing a medley of Queen's famed Live Aid performance in 1985.</p>.<p>The weekend event also brought charitable pledges from international companies such as Lego, Cisco, Verizon, and Pepsico.</p>.<p>World Health Organization chief Tedros Ghebreyesus lent his support to the campaign, urging vaccine equality.</p>.<p>"We now face a two-track pandemic of haves and have-nots," he said ahead of the event.</p>.<p>"We cannot disregard this gross inequity or become complacent."</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>
<p>A "once-in-a-generation" music event circled the world Saturday, with a slew of megastars taking the stage in New York and beyond for Global Citizen Live -- 24 hours of shows across the planet to raise awareness on climate change, vaccine equality, and famine.</p>.<p>Between star-studded sets of some of the biggest names in music -- including Elton John, BTS, Coldplay, Lizzo, Jennifer Lopez, and Billie Eilish -- actors, politicians, company executives, royals, actors and activists made appeals or announced donations to tackle major global challenges.</p>.<p>NGO Global Citizen wants one billion trees planted, two billion vaccines delivered to the poorest countries, and meals for 41 million people on the brink of starvation.</p>.<p>After the show ended in Paris and was handed off to New York, Britain's Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, took to the stage to advocate for Covid-19 vaccine access to be treated "as a basic human right."</p>.<p>"My wife and I believe the way you're born should not dictate your ability to survive," the Duke of Sussex said to cheers from the thousands-strong crowd at Central Park.</p>.<p>The Duke and Duchess of Sussex followed pop veteran Cyndi Lauper with a rendition of her "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" dedicated to Afghan women.</p>.<p>As night fell, the crowd swelled and attendees roared for shows from headliners, including Eilish, who bounded around the stage in her staple T-shirt and shorts ensemble.</p>.<p>Between sets, funding announcements poured in, and calls to action were hammered home, even from the International Space Station.</p>.<p>USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced in a recorded message the United States would "contribute more than $295 million to countries around the world to stave off famine and extreme hunger, confront gender-based violence and address the urgent humanitarian needs the Covid-19 pandemic is leaving in its wake."</p>.<p>Global Citizen co-founder and CEO Hugh Evans urged the audience to "take action" to help raise $6 billion needed by the World Food Programme, tackle vaccine inequality and pressure leaders ahead of the UN COP26 climate change conference in November.</p>.<p>"Charity alone... will never be sufficient to end extreme poverty or tackle climate change," he said.</p>.<p>"The actions of a movement of people is needed to drive lasting change."</p>.<p>After an appearance by renowned 92-year-old American biologist Edward O. Wilson, the show moved to Los Angeles, opened by pop band 5 Seconds of Summer at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, with Demi Lovato, Adam Lambert, and Stevie Wonder, among others, also billed.</p>.<p>Lead vocalist Luke Hemmings celebrated being in their first concert in almost two years "and for an honorable cause."</p>.<p>"This is an amazing thing to witness and be part of."</p>.<p>The broadcast on social media opened with a pre-recorded performance by pop superstars BTS in Seoul before the show kicked off in Paris with Elton John.</p>.<p>The "Rocketman" performed hits including "Tiny Dancer" and "Your Song" in front of the Eiffel Tower in a dazzling green suit.</p>.<p>"No one should be left behind," said the 74-year-old pop legend, who appeared despite a hip injury that forced him to cancel the rest of his tour dates this year.</p>.<p>Ed Sheeran was the headliner in Paris alongside Black Eyed Peas and Stormzy.</p>.<p>The concerts required Covid-19 vaccination proof or negative tests.</p>.<p>Pre-recorded performances were also delivered by Green Day in Los Angeles, DJ superstar Alok in Rio, Kylie Minogue in London, and Andrea Bocelli in Tuscany.</p>.<p>This week's comeback gig by The Fugees in New York -- their first in 15 years -- was also billed as part of the event.</p>.<p>Global Citizen has been behind other high-profile charity events, including a concert earlier this year that called for global Covid-19 vaccinations.</p>.<p>The organization describes itself as a movement with a mission to end extreme poverty by 2030.</p>.<p>Its app uses incentives such as concert tickets to encourage users into pressuring governments on issues around sustainability and equality.</p>.<p>The New York event included tributes to other major benefit concerts, with Chinese global superstar pianist Lang Lang performing a medley of Queen's famed Live Aid performance in 1985.</p>.<p>The weekend event also brought charitable pledges from international companies such as Lego, Cisco, Verizon, and Pepsico.</p>.<p>World Health Organization chief Tedros Ghebreyesus lent his support to the campaign, urging vaccine equality.</p>.<p>"We now face a two-track pandemic of haves and have-nots," he said ahead of the event.</p>.<p>"We cannot disregard this gross inequity or become complacent."</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>