Global Citizen NOW: Impact Sessions

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
583 PARK AVE, NYC

About

On September 24, we hosted Global Citizen NOW: Impact Sessions, a high-level half-day summit uniting 200+ leaders from government, civil society, philanthropy, media, and business to accelerate progress from commitment to action. With pivotal moments ahead, including COP30 in Belém and the G20 in Johannesburg, the summit catalyzed ambition, forge partnerships, and drive change for marginalized populations. This fifth edition follows gatherings in New York, Sevilla, Detroit, and Belém.

Why Attend

Experience Groundbreaking Panels

Brilliance is unlocked when ideas from public sectors, private sectors, and the arts are combined.

Connect

Be in the room with likeminded changemakers and action takers, united in the mission to create a more sustainable and equitable future.

Drive Impact

NOW is more than just conversations—it's about turning ideas into urgent action. Be part of the biggest advocacy moments and help shape the future today.

PROGRAM

7:30 - 7:45 AM

Registration & Networking

7:45 - 8 AM

Programming Begins

8-8:10 AM

Opening Keynote by Ilan Goldfajn

8:10 AM-12:20 PM

Main Stage Sessions and a Keynote Address by Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations

12:20-1:10 PM

Lunch

1:10-3 PM

Main Stage Sessions & Closing Remarks

ACT I

Multilateralism that Delivers

These sessions will explore how reimagined global cooperation can address climate, conflict, and inequality while delivering real impact for affected communities.

ACT II

Investing in Nature: Solutions for a Healthier Planet

On a planet under pressure, these conversations spotlight innovative solutions that center frontline communities, showcase success stories, and drive early commitments

ACT III

Making Systems Work for People

These sessions will explore what every child, woman, and person needs for an equitable future.

Our Partners

Previous Attendees

Past Global Citizen NOW events have had representatives across the public, private, foundation and civil society sectors. Come ready to network and create new relationships with like-minded people.

All Participants

Hosted By

Sabrina Elba

Chair of the Global Citizen Europe Board

H.E Ursula Von Der Leyen

President of the European Commission

H.E. Julius Maada Bio

President of Sierra Leone

H.E. Jennifer Geerlings-Simons

President of Suriname

H.E. Ralph Gonsalves

Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

H.E. Gaston Browne

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda

H.E. Francia Márquez

Vice President of the Republic of Colombia

The Rt Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington

UK Minister of State for Development

H.E. Chris Bowen

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Australia

H.E. Pemmy Majodina

Minister of Water & Sanitation, South Africa

H.E. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia

Sara Beysolow Nyanti

H.E. Thani Mohamed Soilihi

Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships of France

H.E. Mohammed Nasheed

Former President of the Maldives

H.E. Ban Ki-moon

Former Secretary-General of the United Nations

Chris Elmore

UK Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Ilan Goldfajn

President of the Inter American Development Bank

Fran Katsoudas

Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer, Cisco

Gqi Raoleka

CEO of Pele Energy Group

Jonathan Hoffman

Chief Executive Officer, South Africa, Globaleq

Mike Silvestrini

Partner and Co-Founder, Energea

Gargee Ghosh

President, Global Policy & Advocacy, Gates Foundation

Roger Martella

Chief Corporate Officer, GE Vernova

Volker Türk

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Dr. Gloria J. Balboa

Assistant Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health in the Philippines

What is Global Citizen NOW?

Global Citizen NOW brings together the brightest minds, influential decision makers, and the biggest names in pop culture to create a global agenda for urgent action. The summit is about more than talking about the world’s biggest challenges, it is about taking action to solve them.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Global Citizen NOW?

In its consecutive fourth year, Global Citizen NOW will convene world leaders, artists, cultural innovators, and advocates to explore the question: What does it mean to truly invest in the next generation? Together, participants will examine how we create immediate and critical impact for the generations to come through education and sustainability.

Global Citizen NOW 2025’s mainstage programming will dive into what’s working and what isn’t, and identify the urgent action that needs to be taken NOW to build a prosperous and sustainable future for all. Global Citizen NOW is the only place where the brightest minds from the private sector, public sector, and artist community come together to share tangible ideas for taking action today, so that we can save tomorrow.

As part of Global Citizen NOW, we will again award the Global Citizen Prize to those making extraordinary efforts to change the world. We will celebrate unsung heroes from across the globe who have been combating climate change, addressing systemic barriers, empowering girls and women, and championing change in all its forms.

Attendees at Global Citizen NOW will join a group of like-minded changemakers focused on taking action and shaping solutions. They will experience transformative panel discussions, moving artist performances, and be the first to hear exciting announcements about future Global Citizen campaigns.

When is Global Citizen NOW 2025? Where is the summit taking place?

Global Citizen NOW is taking place on April 30, 2025 in New York City at Spring Studios.

What is Global Citizen?

Global Citizen is the world's largest movement of action takers and impact makers dedicated to ending extreme poverty NOW. The voices of millions of Global Citizens around the world are driving lasting change towards sustainability, equality, and humanity by taking action every day.

We post, tweet, message, vote, sign, and call to inspire those who can make things happen to act — government leaders, businesses, philanthropists, artists, and citizens — together improving lives.

By downloading our app, Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn rewards with tickets to events, products, subscriptions, and more.

Global Citizens have taken over 42.9 million actions since 2009. Today, these actions, in combination with high-level advocacy work, have led to over $49 billion being distributed to our partners around the world, impacting 1.3 billion lives in the fight to end extreme poverty.

You can learn more about our impact here: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/impact/

See All

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 583 PARK AVE, NYC