Dwayne Johnson, Shakira to highlight coronavirus equity concert

LOS ANGELES: Dwayne Johnson will host a globally broadcast concert with performances from Shakira, Miley Cyrus and Jennifer Hudson calling on world leaders to make coronavirus tests and treatment available and equitable for all.

Global advocacy organisation Global Citizen and the European Commission announced that ‘Global Goal: Unite for Our Future — The Concert’ will air on June 27. Other artists performing in isolation include Usher, Justin Bieber, Coldplay and Chloe Halle.

The concert will also feature appearances from Billy Porter, Charlize Theron, Chris Rock, Kerry Washington, Salma Hayek and David Beckham.

“The event aims to lift up the global community that is tackling equitable access to healthcare, and other enormous injustices facing our world,” Johnson said in a statement.

Organisers said the show is not a fundraiser but is instead intended to draw awareness to the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on marginalised communities.

“Global Citizens around the world are calling for systemic change, change that brings about justice for everyone, everywhere, regardless of where they were born or the color of their skin,” organisation founder Hugh Evans said in a statement.

“If we are to end COVID-19 for all, we need our world leaders to commit the billions of dollars needed to equitably deliver testing, treatments and vaccines.”

The concert will be followed by an online summit featuring panel discussions and interviews by journalists like Katie Couric meant to be “a global pledging moment where world leaders, corporations and philanthropists will announce new commitments” to help equitably distribute tests, treatments and vaccines, as well as rebuild communities, the statement said.