2025 Global Citizen Festival: A Report on Mobilizing Action for the Sustainable Development Goals

Event Overview and Participants

• Event: 2025 Global Citizen Festival
• Date: September 27, 2025
• Location: The Great Lawn, Central Park, New York City
• Host: Global Citizen Ambassador Hugh Jackman
• Headline Performers: The Weeknd, Shakira
• Featured Performers: Tyla, Ayra Starr, Mariah the Scientist
• Ticket Acquisition: Tickets are complimentary and earned by participants who take action on key global issues via the Global Citizen platform.

Core Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The 2025 Global Citizen Festival campaign is structured around three primary initiatives, each directly contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The festival aims to mobilize significant financial commitments and public action to address critical global challenges.

1. Advancing SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   Objective: Provide energy access for one million people across Africa.

   • The campaign seeks to mobilize $1.5 billion for the ‘Scaling Up Renewables in Africa’ initiative.
   • This initiative directly supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by investing in clean, reliable energy solutions for homes, schools, and businesses.
   • It also contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by aiming to train 50,000 young workers in critical green energy skills.
   • By focusing on renewable infrastructure projects, the campaign addresses SDG 13 (Climate Action) through the reduction of carbon emissions.

2. Fostering SDG 15: Life on Land and SDG 13: Climate Action

   Objective: Mobilize $200 million to protect 30 million hectares of the Amazon rainforest.

   • This goal directly targets SDG 15 (Life on Land) by working to prevent deforestation and protect vital ecosystems.
   • In partnership with Re:wild, the initiative supports Indigenous communities, who are at the forefront of conservation, aligning with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
   • Protecting the Amazon rainforest, a critical carbon sink, is a fundamental action for SDG 13 (Climate Action).
   • The initiative aims to support over 20 Indigenous groups, fostering sustainable economic models that contribute to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

3. Championing SDG 4: Quality Education

   Objective: Provide access to quality education for 30,000 children worldwide.

   • In partnership with FIFA through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, the campaign aims to raise $30 million to combat the global literacy crisis, directly addressing SDG 4 (Quality Education).
   • The fund supports community-based programs that provide children with foundational literacy skills.
   • This effort also supports broader goals such as SDG 1 (No Poverty), as education is a primary pathway out of poverty.
   • The campaign calls for funding for essential services like healthcare and nutrition, recognizing that these are prerequisites for effective learning and align with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Local Impact and Community Engagement

• The festival promotes local action in line with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by encouraging 40,000 New Yorkers to register for volunteer opportunities with local non-profit organizations.
• This initiative fosters a spirit of civic engagement and supports mission-aligned partners working on the ground in New York City.

Statements from Key Participants

• Shakira expressed her honor in headlining the festival, stating her belief in music as a tool to connect with people and inspire action for global change.
• Hugh Jackman, marking his eleventh year as host, highlighted the growing impact of the Global Citizen movement and his commitment to advocating for progress alongside fellow ambassadors and leaders to achieve the SDGs.

Partnerships and Support

The festival’s success relies on a multi-stakeholder approach, exemplifying SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Key partners include:

• Presenting Partner: Cisco
• Major Partners: Authentic Brands Group, Bridgewater Associates, Delta Air Lines, PayPal and Venmo, P&G
• Production Partners: Live Nation, Done+Dusted, Diversified Production Services
• Media and Location Partners: iHeartMedia, New York City Parks, and numerous others.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article explicitly states a campaign goal to “Provide Access to Education for 30,000 Children Around the World,” directly addressing the need for quality education, particularly focusing on basic literacy skills for children who are falling behind.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  A primary campaign goal is to “Provide Energy Access for 1 Million People Across Africa.” This involves mobilizing funds for clean, affordable energy solutions and investing in renewable energy infrastructure, which is the core focus of SDG 7.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The energy initiative in Africa includes a plan to “train 50,000 young workers in critical energy skills like solar installation, grid maintenance, and energy services.” This focus on job creation and skills training for youth aligns with SDG 8. Additionally, the Amazon protection plan supports “indigenous and community-based entrepreneurs” to generate “new, profitable income streams,” contributing to sustainable economic growth.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The goal to protect the Amazon rainforest is a direct climate action. The article notes that protecting the rainforest helps “keep more than 20 billion trees standing” and reduce carbon emissions, which is crucial for mitigating climate change.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The campaign aims to “Mobilize $200 Million to Protect 30 Million Hectares of the Amazon Rainforest.” This directly addresses the targets of SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halting deforestation.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The entire Global Citizen Festival model is built on partnerships. The article mentions collaborations between international organizations (Global Citizen, FIFA, Re:wild), governments (Germany, Norway, France, Denmark, Australia, UK), the private sector (Cisco, Delta Air Lines, P&G), and civil society to achieve its objectives. It also aims to mobilize citizens to take action, embodying the multi-stakeholder approach of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
  • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. The campaign’s goal to help “30,000 children learn to read and write” and address the “250 million children worldwide… falling behind on basic literacy skills” directly supports this target.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  • Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The campaign’s goal to provide “clean, reliable energy to at least 1 million people across the continent” is a direct contribution to this target.
  • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The campaign aims to mobilize “$1.5 billion” and catalyze “private sector investment in at least two major infrastructure projects” with co-funding from multiple governments, which aligns with this target.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. The initiative to “train 50,000 young workers in critical energy skills” directly addresses youth employment and training.
• SDG 15: Life on Land
  • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. The goal to “protect 30 million hectares of rainforest” and “keep more than 20 billion trees standing” is a clear effort to halt deforestation.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article details a wide range of partnerships with corporations (Cisco, P&G), international bodies (FIFA), NGOs (Re:wild), and governments to achieve its goals, perfectly illustrating this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several specific, quantifiable indicators to measure the success of its campaigns.

• For SDG 4 (Quality Education):
  • Number of children to be provided with access to education: 30,000.
  • Total funds to be raised for the education campaign: $30 million.
• For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
  • Number of people to gain energy access in Africa: 1 million.
  • Amount of funds to be mobilized for renewable energy: $1.5 billion.
  • Number of young workers to be trained in energy skills: 50,000.
• For SDG 15 (Life on Land):
  • Amount of funds to be raised to protect the Amazon: $200 million.
  • Area of rainforest to be protected: 30 million hectares.
  • Number of trees to be kept standing: 20 billion.
  • Number of Indigenous groups to be supported: Over 20.
• For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
  • Number of New Yorkers to be registered for volunteer opportunities: 40,000.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: variety.com