Coldplay have used their star clout to tweet the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven on Tuesday asking for his commitment to ensuring the world’s poorest aren’t left behind in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The band’s action follows similar outreach on Twitter to world leaders from artists including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, and Shakira — all part of the Global Goal: Unite for Our Future campaign, to combat the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on marginalized communities and ensure tests, treatments, and vaccines are available to everyone, everywhere.
Sweden is one of the most generous countries in the world for humanitarian aid,” read the message signed by all four band members. “We hope you can join us + @GlblCtzn + @vonderleyen on June 27 in support of #COVID19 testing, treatments & vaccines for all.”
The alt-rock heroes are referring to Global Goal: Unite for Our Future — an international pledging summit being hosted by Global Citizen and President of the European Commission Ursula von de Leyen on June 27.
When it comes to infectious diseases like COVID-19, the world is only safe when everyone is safe — so financial investments from wealthier countries like Sweden are vital to protect the most marginalized communities from the virus. A commitment to the campaign will help make sure the tools needed to help address the global coronavirus health crisis don’t just go to the highest bidder.
Some of the most important global health agencies in the fight to get tests, treatments, and vaccines to the world’s poorest people urgently need new funding to achieve an equitable, global response. These include the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), among others.
We’ve already seen how the impact of coronavirus has disproportionately impacted marginalized communities — including people of color, people living in extreme poverty, and others facing discrimination in their communities around the world.
An unequal recovery process risks exacerbating existing inequalities and weakening global health systems overall. So we need world leaders to band together to commit the billions of dollars required to make sure this does not happen.
Löfven replied to Coldplay on Twitter later in the day on Tuesday, reaffirming their position as a “committed partner” to the pledging summit and the Global Goal: Unite for Our Future campaign. See you on June 27, prime minister!
