Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex have taken part in a "once-in-a-generation" 24-hour event to raise awareness on climate change, vaccine equality and famine, which featured performances from musical artists from multiple cities around the world. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex advocated for COVID-19 vaccine access to be treated "as a basic human right," as the event was broadcast live from New York's Central Park.

"The way you're born should not dictate your ability to survive," Prince Harry said to cheers from the thousands-strong crowd.

NGO Global Citizen wants 1 billion trees planted, 2 billion vaccines delivered to the poorest countries and meals for 41 million people on the brink of starvation.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex followed performances by singer Alessia Cara and pop veteran Cyndi Lauper with a rendition of her Girls Just Want to Have Fun dedicated to Afghan women.

Funding announcements poured in between the sets.

USAID administrator Samantha Power announced in a recorded message the United States would "contribute more than US$295 million ($406 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."

The Global Solidarity Fund announced US$28 million for food, vaccines and job training throughout 2022 before Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello took the stage joined by Shawn Mendes, later followed by Burna Boy.

Also performing in Central Park were Billie Eilish and Jennifer Lopez, among others.

'No-one should be left behind'

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.

John performed hits including Tiny Dancer and Your Song in front of the Eiffel Tower in a dazzling green suit.

"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.

Ed Sheeran was the headliner in Paris alongside Black Eyed Peas and Stormzy, while Stevie Wonder topped the bill in Los Angeles.

"There has never been a greater need for advocacy than right now," said Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, hosting the live broadcast from Paris.

Pressuring governments on sustainability and equality

Tens of thousands won tickets for the concerts (which required vaccination proof or negative tests) by signing up for the Global Citizen app and sharing its messages on social media.

Pre-recorded performances were also delivered by Delta Goodrem in Sydney, Green Day in Los Angeles, DJ superstar Alok in Rio, Kylie Minogue in London and Andrea Bocelli in Tuscany.

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This week's comeback gig by hip hop legends The Fugees in New York — their first in 15 years — was also billed as part of the event.

Global Citizen has been behind other high-profile charity events, including Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World earlier this year in Los Angeles.

That brought together musicians, actors, celebrities, world leaders and even the pope, in a united call for global vaccinations to fight COVID-19.

The organisation describes itself as a movement with a mission to end extreme poverty by 2030.

Its app uses incentives such as concert tickets to encourage users into pressuring governments on issues around sustainability and equality.

Saturday and Sunday's event also brought charitable pledges from international companies like Lego, Cisco and Verizon.

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Ghebreyesus, lent his support to the campaign, urging vaccine equality.

"We now face a two-track pandemic of haves and have-nots," he said ahead of the event.

"We cannot disregard this gross inequity or become complacent."

AFP