Stellar line-up announced for Global Citizen festival at Central Park in New York

Pop legend Janet Jackson, pictured, and fast-rising rapper Cardi B will headline the Global Citizen festival in New York to rally support for preserving international aid to eradicate extreme poverty.

The critically acclaimed experimentalist Janelle Monae, R&B sensation The Weeknd, activist songwriter John Legend and young pop star Shawn Mendes will also play at the September 29 festival in Central Park, organisers announced this week.

Taking place each year since 2012 as world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, Global Citizen distributes tickets for free to supporters who pledge to take actions such as sending letters to their governments in support of development aid.

Global Citizen has gradually broadened its reach with international editions and panel discussions and is planning a major festival in Johannesburg on December 2 led by Beyonce and Jay-Z to mark the centennial of the birth of anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

Hugh Evans, the CEO of Global Citizen, said the festival was expected to draw more than 60 000 people and would also demand that world leaders fight to improve maternal health, end child marriages and reduce the use of plastics.

“It’s essential that we speak out – and continue to vote – so that our voices are heard.” –