Stars help EU raise funds to find Covid-19 vaccine

A virtual event brought together international music, film, sports and fashion stars like Coldplay and Miley Cyrus on Saturday 27 June to help the European Union raise funds for the development of a vaccine against the Covid-19 and making it available to the poorest populations on the entire planet.

The European Commission, in collaboration with the organization headquartered in the United States Global Citizen, sponsored this virtual event intended to generate financial contributions. In total, according to the EU, 40 governments helped with preparations.

The #GlobalGoalUnite Concert is LIVE, hosted by Dwayne @therock Johnson! Tune in to watch artists, comedians, activists, and more unite to support equal access to COVID-19 aid for everyone, everywhere. Let's build a better future: https://t.co/AQFKWGWXjE https://t.co/KhzbVh71sD

Already 16 billion euros collected

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, inaugurated it by announcing that she had obtained 6.15 billion euros on Saturday, including 4.9 billion from the European Investment Bank, in partnership with the Commission. Earlier, on May 4, during a first summit organized to raise funds, the EU, governments and wealthy philanthropists had pledged to contribute around 10 billion euros. This already makes almost 16 billion euros in total.

"We will not end this pandemic until it is over everywhere," said Ursula von der Leyen at the opening of this virtual event. "And that means that everyone in the world has access to tests, treatments and vaccines no matter where they live, where they come from and how they look," she said.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, a former professional wrestler who became an actor, hosted a concert on the Internet on Saturday. Salma Hayek, Charlize Theron, Forest Whitaker and Angelique Kidjo also participated. Philanthropist Melinda Gates and director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus are also involved.

With AFP

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