Global Citizens came together acorss the globe in 2018 to take action and envision a world without extreme poverty.
The year started off strong with Global Citizen Live events in London and Vancouver in the spring, showcasing performances by talented singers like Emeli Sandé and The Elwins.
Take Action: This Inequality Cannot Go On. Ask the World’s Richest People to Help End Extreme Poverty
In September, the Global Citizen Festival in New York brought together activists and fans of Shawn Mendes, Cardi B, Janelle Monáe, The Weeknd, and Janet Jackson in Central Park. Tens of thousands of attendees sprawled across the Great Lawn as major gender equality and education commitments were made.
Read More: The Very Best Photos That Sum Up All That Happened in 2017
To top off the year, thousands attended the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and celebrated Nelson Mandela’s legacy at the end of his centenary year. A plane flyover kicked off the festivities at FNB stadium, and Trevor Noah hosted the action-packed day, which included moving words from world leaders and influential figures like Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg and Oprah Winfrey. The crowd’s energy was contagious as they cheered and danced to Beyoncé, JAY-Z, Ed Sheeran, Tiwa Savage, Cassper Nyovest, and other artists between impactful speeches delivered by world leaders, the Mandela family, and more.
See the best photos that captured these highlights below.
Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100
A general view of the FNB Stadium before the start of the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
A general view of the FNB Stadium before the start of the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Guests in the audience during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Guests in the audience during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Attendees dance in the audience during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Attendees dance in the audience during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Soweto Gospel Choir perform during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Soweto Gospel Choir perform during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Sho Madjozi performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Sho Madjozi performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Usher performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Usher performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Pharrell Williams performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Pharrell Williams performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Global Citizen plane does a flyover over FNB Stadium during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Global Citizen plane does a flyover over FNB Stadium during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Trevor Noah speaks onstage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Trevor Noah speaks onstage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Attendees cheer in the audience during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Attendees cheer in the audience during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Attendees at the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Attendees at the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Danai Gurira speaks on stage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Danai Gurira speaks on stage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jay Breeze and Tiwa Savage perform during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jay Breeze and Tiwa Savage perform during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Tumi Sisulu (C) speaks onstage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Tumi Sisulu (C) speaks onstage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
D'banj performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
D'banj performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Zama Mandela (C) and other members of the Mandela family speak on stage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Zama Mandela (C) and other members of the Mandela family speak on stage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Guests in the audience during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Guests in the audience during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg (R) presents Graca Machel (L) with the inaugural Global Citizen Prize for World Leader, on stage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg (R) presents Graca Machel (L) with the inaugural Global Citizen Prize for World Leader, on stage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
WizKid performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
WizKid performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Ed Sheeran performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Ed Sheeran performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Cassper Nyovest performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Cassper Nyovest performs during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Oprah Winfrey speaks on stage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Oprah Winfrey speaks on stage during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
A general view of the FNB Stadium during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
A general view of the FNB Stadium during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Global Citizen Festival 2018 in NYC
The Weeknd performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
The Weeknd performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Janelle Monáe performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Janelle Monáe performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Attendees cheer in the audience during the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 28, 2018 in New York City.
Attendees cheer in the audience during the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 28, 2018 in New York City.
Attendees at the Global Citizen Festival 2018 in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Attendees at the Global Citizen Festival 2018 in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Shawn Mendes performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Shawn Mendes performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Cardi B performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Cardi B performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
A little girl reacts to a performance at the Global Citizen Festival 2018 in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
A little girl reacts to a performance at the Global Citizen Festival 2018 in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Janelle Monáe performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Janelle Monáe performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
The Weeknd performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
The Weeknd performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
An attendee poses for a photograph at the Global Citizen Festival 2018 in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
An attendee poses for a photograph at the Global Citizen Festival 2018 in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Shawn Mendes performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Shawn Mendes performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Janet Jackson performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
Janet Jackson performs onstage during the 2018 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park on September 29, 2018 in New York City.
GC Week, New York City
Robert De Niro and Rachel Brosnahan speak to the crowd gathered at the Maine Monument in Central Park.
Robert De Niro and Rachel Brosnahan speak to the crowd gathered at the Maine Monument in Central Park.
Attendees listen to the speakers at the 'Your Vote is Your Voice!' rally in Central Park.
Attendees listen to the speakers at the 'Your Vote is Your Voice!' rally in Central Park.
Kimbra performs onstage with The Howard Gospel Choir during Global Citizen Week: The Spirit Of A Movement at Riverside Church.
Kimbra performs onstage with The Howard Gospel Choir during Global Citizen Week: The Spirit Of A Movement at Riverside Church.
Keyon Harrold performs onstage during Global Citizen Week: The Spirit Of A Movement at Riverside Church.
Keyon Harrold performs onstage during Global Citizen Week: The Spirit Of A Movement at Riverside Church.
Naomi Wadler accepts the Legend Award onstage during Global Citizen Week: The Spirit Of A Movement at Riverside Church on Sept. 22, 2018 in New York City.
Naomi Wadler accepts the Legend Award onstage during Global Citizen Week: The Spirit Of A Movement at Riverside Church on Sept. 22, 2018 in New York City.
Speakers onstage during Global Citizen Week: At What Cost? at The Apollo Theater on September 23, 2018 in New York City.
Speakers onstage during Global Citizen Week: At What Cost? at The Apollo Theater on September 23, 2018 in New York City.
Maimouna Youssef performs onstage during Global Citizen Week: At What Cost? at The Apollo Theater on Sept. 23, 2018 in New York City.
Maimouna Youssef performs onstage during Global Citizen Week: At What Cost? at The Apollo Theater on Sept. 23, 2018 in New York City.
Attendees listen to the speakers onstage during Global Citizen Week: At What Cost? at The Apollo Theater on September 23, 2018 in New York City.
Attendees listen to the speakers onstage during Global Citizen Week: At What Cost? at The Apollo Theater on September 23, 2018 in New York City.
Global Citizen Live in London
Little Simz performs on stage for Global Citizen Live London, at the O2 Academy Brixton on April 17, 2018 in London, England.
Little Simz performs on stage for Global Citizen Live London, at the O2 Academy Brixton on April 17, 2018 in London, England.
Emeli Sandé performs on stage for Global Citizen Live London, at the O2 Academy Brixton on April 17, 2018 in London, England.
Emeli Sandé performs on stage for Global Citizen Live London, at the O2 Academy Brixton on April 17, 2018 in London, England.
Global Citizen Live in Vancouver
The Elwins at Global Citizen Live Vancouver.
The Elwins at Global Citizen Live Vancouver.
A scene at Global Citizen Live Vancouver on April 12 at the Commodore Ballroom.
A scene at Global Citizen Live Vancouver on April 12 at the Commodore Ballroom.