Over 126,000 actions led to 5 new commitments worth USD $59,711,982.24 (that’s €52,932,473.89). If delivered upon, this will affect the lives of 4,485,024 people.
Additionally, the Government of Germany announced it will support 60 million smallholder farmers globally to adapt to climate change.
Global Citizens came together tonight for a night of popping music — and meaningful impact. Hosted by Hadnet Tesfai and Nikeata Thompson at Berlin’s Tempodrom, Global Citizen Live: Berlin had performances from Mafikizolo, Sido, Eunique, DJ Wana Limar, Serious Klein, and Lena Meyer-Landrut, alongside announcements and commitments to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Nigeria and Zambia led the charge with important commitments to water and sanitation, and to nutrition. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, World Bank Chief Executive Kristalina Georgieva, and German Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Gerd Müller all made powerful statements in line with the world’s most pressing issues to do with ending extreme poverty and addressing climate change.
The event followed weeks of campaigning from Global Citizens around the world. Close to 25,000 Global Citizens from Germany, South Africa, Nigeria, and 143 other countries took action in the lead-up to the event. The event celebrated Africa Day on May 25, which commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (now known as the African Union) on May 25, 1963 — and leaders from around the continent showed up in person, and with meaningful commitments.
Here’s exactly what was committed, announced, and called for throughout the night:
WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE
21,343 actions delivered four commitments valued at USD $47.77 million and set to affect the lives of over 1.1 million people. Global Citizens have also taken more than 150,000 actions — tweets, emails, and signatures on petitions — since last August, asking Nigerian governors to prioritize budget funds to building toilets, education programs, and clean water management systems.
Commitment | Ondo State, Nigeria
Mrs. Yetunde Adeyanju, executive chairman of the Ondo State Environmental Protection Agency speaking on behalf of the executive Governor, His Excellency Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, committed that Ondo State would achieve open defecation free status by 2022, which is three years ahead of Nigeria’s schedule. This will affect the more than 1.1 million Nigerians practicing open defecation in Ondo State.
She also committed a total of USD $27.77 million to the water, sanitation, and hygiene budget to be disbursed between 2020 and 2024, effectively pledging to maintain the doubled budget that came into effect this year.
“Mark my word: we are committed, Ondo State, we are committed, to be the first state to be open defecation free state in our country,” said Mrs. Yetunde Adeyanju.
Commitment | Edo State, Nigeria
Mrs. Oboh Akongie Usiriedo, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources for Edo State speaking on behalf of the executive Governor, His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki, committed USD $15 million over the next three years in efforts towards achieving an open defecation free status.
“We also urge other stakeholders to join us to champion this cause, the open defecation cause … Let’s work together, and get it done,” said Mrs. Oboh Akongie Usiriedo.
Commitment | Cross River State, Nigeria
Dr. Betta Edu, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency on behalf of the executive Governor, His Excellency Professor Benedict Ayade, announced an update to the commitment that his administration made in December 2018. Cross River State is topping up the USD $15 million to be disbursed over five years that it had already committed with an additional USD $5 million over the same time period.
She also announced an accountability update to the earlier commitment, sharing that USD $2 million of the year’s original USD $3 million allocation had already been unlocked, and that the commitment’s delivery was on track. She stated that sanitation behavior change would be supported through the implementation of this commitment.
“We remain committed to this pledge, as well as becoming the first open defecation free state in Nigeria. I therefore confirm that [the Governor] has already unlocked 2 million dollars and commits to unlocking another 1 million dollars before the end of this year for open defecation and safe water and sanitation. This will support RUSHPIN to promote sanitation education, behavior change, and ultimately end open defecation for the beautiful people of Cross River State.”
HEALTH
Global Citizen Live: Berlin saw two calls to action and two announcements towards health-related issues including the fight to eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and supporting the replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. These moments helped further Global Citizen’s health campaigning, and added to the 38,549 actions taken by Global Citizens towards these campaigns for Global Citizen Live: Berlin.
Call to Action | Global Fund Ambassador Sibulele Sibaca
Global Fund Ambassador Sibulele Sibaca called on Germany and other governments to commit to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria ahead of its replenishment this year.
“The story of HIV shows that when the world comes together to address big problems we can succeed,” said Sibaca.
Announcement | Rwanda
Dr. Diane Gashumba, Rwandan Minister of Health, reaffirmed Rwanda’s support for the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), speaking of the Rwandan government’s eagerness to partner with other stakeholders on combating them.
Via video message from Kigali, the minister acknowledged Global Citizens’ campaigning ahead of Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 last year. She said: “We got a lot of emails and messages from Global Citizens pushing Rwanda to keep the momentum and to keep pushing the agenda toward elimination of neglected tropical diseases. I would like to commit our engagement, to recommit our engagement, as a government, but also as a sector toward elimination of neglected tropical diseases.”
Announcement | Ghana
Following on from Ghana’s commitment at the Global Citizen Live in London last year, Jake Obeng-Bediako on behalf of the government of Ghana reaffirmed the commitment to eliminate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the country. He announced that “we are scaling up our investments” to achieve its goals.
“I am pleased to underscore the commitment of the government of Ghana to free citizens from these diseases completely,” said Jake Obeng-Bediako.
Call to Action | Activist Mandy Beck
Global Citizen activist Mandy Beck called on Germany to commit funding to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
FOOD & AGRICULTURE
13,162 actions calling for better nutrition and more sustainable agriculture to be delivered led to 1 commitment valued at USD $11.93 million and set to affect the lives of 3.37 million people.
Commitment | Zambian Ministry of Agriculture
Hon. Micheal Katambo, MP, Zambian Minister of Agriculture, committed via video message to contributing towards Zambia’s goal of halving stunting in Zambia by 2030, which includes working towards an all-Zambia target of spending USD $40 per child per year. This is equivalent to a share of at least ZMW 149 million ($11,935,982), and set to impact the 3.37 million children in Zambia who are affected by stunting.
Minister Katambo commended Global Citizens for their persistent calls for change.
He announced: “I would like to share with you the commitments that have been made, in part by the petitions and emails received by you, the Global Citizen community…we thank you for your passion, we thank you for your promise to fight for, and protect the future of our global community.”
CLIMATE & THE ENVIRONMENT
13,406 actions were taken towards calling for improving climate resilience in smallholder farmers, and increasing the global focus on the environment. Supporting Global Citizens’ efforts and bolstering our ongoing campaigns for months to come, the event saw two announcements.
Announcement | Germany
Dr. Gerd Müller, German federal minister of economic cooperation and development, referred to the German Government’s announcement earlier today that it would help 60 million smallholder farmers to become climate resilient by 2030. Germany announced this in its capacity of a convening nation of the Global Commission of Adaptation.
Announcement | World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva & Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon shared the stage for a powerful moment on the crucial need to act on the climate crisis. Both Ms. Georgieva and Mr. Ban are at the helm of the Global Commission on Adaptation, spearheading this new initiative alongside Bill Gates.
“Hundreds, hundreds of millions of people already live with a climate crisis and tragically, far too many are already dying because of it,” said Georgieva.
Georgieva reaffirmed the World Bank’s support for the Global Commission on Adaptation.
“I’m very proud to tell you that my organization, the World Bank, has pledged to double funding to address climate change; we will invest over $200 billion over the next five years to fight the causes and the effects of climate change,” she said.
Source: Global Citizen