Jungkook, Anitta draw fans to Central Park aid fest despite rain
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South Korean singer Jungkook performs onstage during the Global Citizen Festival at Central Park in New York City on Sept 23.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW YORK – Thousands of people gathered at a swampy Central Park in New York for a concert urging global development aid, with Jungkook of BTS fame and Brazilian singer Anitta highlighting the marathon show’s first half.
Jungkook had the poncho-clad crowd screaming and swaying along as he serenaded concertgoers with hits such as Still With You at the Global Citizen Festival marked by a chilly, persistent rain.
Wearing acid-wash jeans and a brown shirt, the South Korean megastar told fans it was necessary to “make an impact together to make sure everyone everywhere has access to basic rights such as food and education”.
Jungkook was not billed as a headliner, but he was a major draw of the night. Many drenched concertgoers streamed out of the park just after his set ended, though the evening was set to continue for another three hours.
Earlier in the evening, Anitta brought her impressive twerks and dance party of a show to the stage, performing hits such as her recent Funk Rave.
Brazil’s biggest pop star called attention to the importance of protecting the Amazon rainforest, reminding fans that it is the lungs of the planet.
Just before kicking off her set, she said governments must do more to “protect the people there, the indigenous people, the communities there... whose only reality is the Amazon”.
Rappers such as Busta Rhymes and Common put on a 50th anniversary of hip-hop tribute, one of many that have been put on across the city in recent months.
Fight against hunger
Taking place since 2012 as world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, Global Citizen distributes free tickets to supporters who pledge to take actions such as sending letters to their governments in support of development aid.
Pledges came from leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced via video message a US$150 million (S$205 million) commitment to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (Ifad).
Anitta performs during the Global Citizen Festival at Central Park last Saturday.
PHOTO: AFP
“We have to fight together against poverty, climate change and for biodiversity,” he said.
The Rome-headquartered Ifad is an arm of the UN aimed at addressing poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries.
Global Citizen welcomed Mr Macron’s commitment in a statement, adding that “more needs to be done to provide crucial support to millions of smallholder farmers around the world, who produce 70 per cent of food in low- and middle-income countries”.
The institution urged governments to double their climate adaptation funding, and make sure Ifad reaches its funding target of US$2 billion by the end of 2023.
Along with Mr Macron, they said Norway had pledged US$90 million to Ifad. AFP
