Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations; Sarah, Duchess of York; Bill Nye, Science Educator and Global Citizen Ambassador; José Manuel Barroso, Professor, Chair of Gavi Board; Ashlyn Harris, Host of Wide Open Podcast, Creative Consultant, Entrepreneur & Retired Professional Athlete; James Blake, Award-Winning Music Artist; Laverne Cox, Emmy-nominated Actor, Producer, Advocate; and Seu Jorge, Actor, Composer & Performer have joined the growing list of participants for this year’s edition of Global Citizen NOW.
James Blake is also set to perform during the summit, taking place in New York City on Wednesday, April 30, which will convene leaders in government, policy, advocacy, the private sector, media, entertainment, and philanthropy to drive action to end extreme poverty.
Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, UNFPA; and Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Nigeria have been named as Co-chairs of Global Citizen NOW. New participants added to the lineup include: Michele Anthony, Executive Vice President, Universal Musical Group; Tati Gabrielle, Actor, Producer, and Advocate; Gargee Ghosh, President of Global Policy & Advocacy at the Gates Foundation; Keili Glynn, Chief People Officer, Authentic Brands Group; Helena Gualinga, Indigenous Environmental and Human Rights Defender; Mia Keeys, Director of Global Health & Innovation, Hologic; Katie Nolan, Emmy-winning Sports Commentator and Host of SiriusXM podcast ‘Casuals’; Zachary Pozniak, Author of ‘The Laundry Book’ and Owner, Jeeves New York; Shain Shapiro, Executive Director, Center for Music Ecosystems; Simon Steill, Executive Secretary, UN Climate Change; Françoise Remarck, Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; and H.E. Philip Thigo, MBS, Special Envoy for Technology, Republic of Kenya.
Hosted by Global Citizen, the world’s leading international advocacy organization on a mission to end extreme poverty, the 2025 edition of Global Citizen NOW will explore how we create immediate and critical impact for the next generation through education and sustainability. Bringing together leaders in government, the private sector, philanthropy, alongside advocates, innovators and artists on the frontlines of ending extreme poverty, the Summit will look at what’s working, what isn’t, and the urgent action that needs to be taken NOW to build a prosperous and sustainable future for all.
During Global Citizen NOW, the Global Citizen Prize and Cisco Youth Leadership Award will be presented to honor young leaders from around the world making extraordinary efforts to impact their communities, emceed by Liza Koshy. The awards honor five young people who are taking action to combat climate change, address systemic barriers, empower girls, and champion change in all its forms. The recipients will each receive a year-long programme of support from Global Citizen, together with a cash grant for their organization.
The Global Citizen Prize 2025 awardees are:
Valeriia Rachynska, Director of Human Rights, Gender and Community Development, 100% Life, from Ukraine;
Taily Terena, Anthropologist, Earth and Climate Defender, Institute of Indigenous Memory and Science, from Brazil;
Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Founder & Executive Lead, Gender Mobile Initiative, from Nigeria; and
Lydia Kekeli Amenyaglo, Creative Director, Ghana Food Movement, from Ghana
“These remarkable leaders are driving progress on some of the most urgent issues of our time – they’re defending human rights, transforming food systems, and fighting for a brighter future for their communities,” said Liza Henshaw, President, Global Citizen. “Each of them brings bold vision and deep commitment to their work, and we’re proud to amplify their extraordinary efforts and support the growth of their organizations.”
Established in 2018 by Cisco and Global Citizen, the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award honors an individual aged 18-30 who has contributed meaningfully to global problem solving. This year’s Cisco Youth Leadership Award recipient is Esther Kimani, a 29-year-old Kenyan innovator transforming the agricultural landscape through AI-driven solutions. Growing up on the slopes of Kenya’s Aberdare Mountains, Esther witnessed firsthand how pests, diseases, and extreme climate conditions devastated crops and deepened poverty for rural farmers. As Founder & CEO of Farmer Lifeline Technologies, she developed a tool that helps smallholder farmers detect pests and diseases early, safeguard their harvests, and improve their livelihoods. Her technology is deployed across seven counties in Kenya, supporting thousands of farmers – 65% of them women – and ensuring they have the resources to sustain their farms and families. As the Cisco Youth Leadership Award Winner, Farmer Lifeline Technologies will receive a US$250,000 grant to enable its continued growth.
“At Cisco, putting Purpose into practice means we often see the unlock that technology can bring to communities,” said Fran Katsoudas, EVP and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer, Cisco. “Esther’s agritech solutions are making big strides in eradicating world hunger, with a ripple effect that is positively impacting thousands across Kenya. Farmer Lifeline Technologies brings innovation into some of the most foundational parts of our communities, and we at Cisco are proud to help Esther in her vision for a sustainable future.”
For more information about the Global Citizen Prize and Cisco Youth Leadership Award, visit www.globalcitizen.org/prize.
Co-chairs of Global Citizen NOW include: Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain; Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Hugh Jackman, Global Citizen Ambassador; Hans Vestberg, Chairman & CEO, Verizon; David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister of Sierra Leone; Rachel Brosnahan, Global Citizen Ambassador; Wyclef Jean, Performing Artist, Composer, Activist; André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 President-Designate; Nir Bar Dea, CEO, Bridgewater Associates; Amy Bonitatibus, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, PayPal; Patrick Achi, State Minister and Senior Advisor to the President, Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; Alicia Tillman, Chief Marketing Officer, Delta Air Lines; and Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Previously announced participants include: Helder Barbalho, Governor of Pará, Brazil; Sônia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil; Sabrina Dhowre Elba, Activist, CEO, Global Citizen Europe Board Chair; Zaya Guarani, Model, Actress, Producer, Indigenous and Sustainability Advocate; Caroline Hyde, Bloomberg Television Anchor; Francine Katsoudas, Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer, Cisco; Liza Koshy, Actor, Activist; Raj Kumar, President & Editor-in-Chief, Devex; Randall Lane, Chief Content Officer, Forbes; Kaba Nialé, Minister of Economy, Planning and Development of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; Diego Scotti, General Manager, Consumer Group, PayPal; Ingrid Silva, Ballet Dancer, Choreographer, Writer, and Activist; Marcelo Thomé, President, Institute Amazônia+21; Jean Van Wetter, CEO, Enabel; and more.
Taking place at Spring Studios in New York City, Global Citizen NOW is supported by Major Partners
Authentic Brands Group, Bridgewater Associates, Cisco, Delta Air Lines, PayPal, P&G and Verizon. Global Citizen is grateful for the support of leading media companies and supporters including: Captivate, Branded Cities and NYC Tourism + Conventions.
A limited number of tickets to attend Global Citizen NOW are available for purchase here.
About Global Citizen
Global Citizen is the world’s leading international advocacy organization on a mission to end extreme poverty NOW. Powered by a worldwide community of everyday activists raising their voices and taking action, the movement is amplified by campaigns and events that convene leaders in music, entertainment, public policy, media, philanthropy and the corporate sector. Over the past 10 years, $43.6 billion in commitments announced on Global Citizen platforms has been deployed, impacting nearly 1.3 billion lives. Established in Australia in 2008, Global Citizen’s team operates from New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Melbourne, Toronto, Johannesburg, Lagos and beyond. Join the movement at globalcitizen.org, download the Global Citizen app, and follow Global Citizen on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
