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Global Citizen returns to Western Australia with Global Citizen Nights: Perth, headlined by The Teskey Brothers, featuring South Summit and Ruby Rodgers

Global Citizen

Ian Thorpe, John Butler, Mathias Cormann, Sabrina Dhowre Elba and Ashton Turner to join Global Citizen NOW: Perth summit rallying action to electrify our world

 

Earn free tickets to Global Citizen Nights: Perth on 20 October by taking action at globalcitizen.org/nights

 

Press kit available here

 

Perth, Australia, 1 October, 2026 // Global Citizen, the world’s largest movement to end extreme poverty, today announced it will host Global Citizen Nights: Perth, a free, ticketed music event, headlined by The Teskey Brothers, with performances by South Summit and Ruby Rodgers, to conclude the Global Citizen NOW: Perth action summit. The international gathering, taking place on 18-20 October, will spotlight Western Australia’s potential as a renewable energy powerhouse, while rallying commitments to expand reliable, affordable electricity to up to 4 million homes globally.

 

An evening of music, culture and storytelling, Global Citizen Nights: Perth will take place at Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre on 20 October, as a closing celebration to honour the leaders, communities and commitments accelerating the global energy transition and driving energy security, clean industry development and economic opportunity across the Indo-Pacific. Reflecting Western Australia’s position as the State of Energy, it will honour trailblazers from across Perth and the region who are profoundly impacting their local communities across energy resilience, nature protection, and education. The event marks Global Citizen’s return to Perth for the first time in 15 years, following the organisation’s landmark End of Polio concert in 2011.

 

Global citizens can earn free tickets to Global Citizen Nights: Perth by taking action at globalcitizen.org/nights to help to drive clean energy solutions for communities in the Indo-Pacific and around the world. Additionally, local residents can earn free tickets to Global Citizen Nights: Perth by taking action and volunteering in the local community. To learn more and register, click here.

 

Global Citizen also announced today additional speakers joining the Global Citizen NOW: Perth action summit, which will bring together some of the world's most influential leaders in government, business, philanthropy, First Nations communities and civil society, at a time when the global economy is being reshaped by electrification. Discussions will focus on turning WA's advantages in renewable energy into investment-ready opportunities, while strengthening energy security and expanding electricity access across the Indo-Pacific.

 

Newly announced participants include Ian Thorpe, Australian Olympian; John Butler, Musician and Activist, who will deliver a keynote address; Ashton Turner, Perth Scorchers Captain, Non-exec Director, WA Cricket Foundation; Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; Hon. David Michael, Minister for State Development and Economic Diversification, Government of Western Australia; Hon. Steve Thomas, Shadow Minister for Energy and Industrial Relations, Western Australia; and Hon. Jennifer S Olegeriil, Minister of Justice, Republic of Palau.

 

Additional participants announced today include Tzeporah Berman, Founder and Chair, Fossil Fuel Treaty; Megan Born, Head of Sustainability, Canva; Adil Cader, Founder and Host, Talking Foreign Affairs; Kate Chaney, Independent Federal Member for Curtin; Professor Hui Tong Chua, Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Western Australia; Peter Cowling, Head of Wind Australia, Envision Energy; Dr. Michaela Dommisse, Director, Oceans The Nature Conservancy Australia; Professor Christophe Gaudin, Director, UWA Oceans Institute; Bronwyn Grieve, Director of Global Sustainability and External Affairs, Fortescue; Julia Grix, Founder and Executive Director, Climate Defenders Australia; Brigitta Gunawan, Founder, 30x30 Indonesia and Diverseas, and Global Citizen Youth Leader Recipient; Tishiko King, Founder and Ocean Advocate; Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa who will join virtually; Bianca McNeair, Indigenous Research Lead, Malagana Traditional Owner, Gathaagudu Western Australia; Professor Nicki Mitchell, Deputy Director, UWA Oceans Institute; Samantha Murray, CEO, Indigenous Desert Alliance; Ruby Rodgers, Artist and Activist; Amy Steel, PhD Candidate, Climate Adaptation, ex Australian Netballer; Professor Hongqi Sun, ARC Future Fellow, Professor of Chemistry and Director, UWA Centre for Future Catalysis; and Caitlin Wyrwoll, Professor, UWA School of Human Sciences.

 

They will join previously announced speakers including José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Laureate; Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and Commonwealth Chair-in-Office; Hon. Roger Cook, Western Australian Premier, Minister for Defence Industries, Tourism, Trade and Investment; and Alex Pearce, Captain of the Fremantle Dockers. Kevin Rudd, Global President and CEO, Asia Society, 26th Prime Minister of Australia; Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency and Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations will join virtually.

 

“It’s a real honour to be invited to play at Global Citizen Nights: Perth. What Global Citizen is doing is so much bigger than music, so it’s pretty special to be able to contribute in a small way,” said Josh Teskey of The Teskey Brothers. “We’re really grateful to be part of it, and looking forward to getting up there and playing some tunes to close out this really special event.” 

 

“We couldn’t be more excited to return to Western Australia with Global Citizen Nights: Perth,” said Michael Sheldrick, Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact and Government Affairs Officer, Global Citizen. “It’s going to be an unforgettable night of Aussie music closing out two important days of action spotlighting WA as a renewable energy powerhouse, and how we can help build a future where our neighbours across the Indo-Pacific have access to reliable, affordable electricity.” 

 

The Opening Ceremony for Global Citizen NOW: Perth will take place at The University of Western Australia’s Winthrop Hall on Sunday 18 October, with Hon. Roger Cook, Premier of Western Australia and Bruce Reynolds, The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Perth delivering opening remarks. Global Citizen NOW: Perth is supported by presenting partner Western Australian Government, major partners Boundless Earth and Minderoo Foundation, and supporting partners Business Events Perth, City of Perth, CrossBoundary Energy, Curtin University, Forrest Research Foundation, Fortescue, Murdoch University, and The University of Western Australia.

 

The summit will also bring together a coalition of civil society organisations committed to advancing equitable access to clean energy, climate resilience and sustainable development. New partner additions include Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Diplomats for Climate, Energy Futures Foundation, Indigenous Desert Alliance, Solutions for Climate WA and WWF-Australia. 

 

Established in Australia in 2008, Global Citizen is the world's largest movement to end extreme poverty. Known globally for bringing together policy, culture and citizen action, Global Citizen NOW has convened influential leaders across government, business, philanthropy, advocacy and entertainment since 2022 to tackle the world's most pressing challenges, from energy and global health to education and food security. Perth joins Global Citizen NOW's global circuit of host cities including New York City, Rio de Janeiro, Sevilla and Johannesburg, reinforcing Perth's, and Australia's, growing role on the international stage.

 

For more information, click here. 

 

Global Citizen acknowledges the Whadjuk people of the Nyoongar nation, the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which Global Citizen NOW: Perth and Global Citizen Nights: Perth will be held, and pays respect to Elders past and present.

 

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Artwork 

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Media Credentials 

Applications are now open for media outlets to attend and cover Global Citizen NOW: Perth, and Global Citizen Nights: Perth. Please complete this application form.

 

About Global Citizen 

Global Citizen is the world’s largest movement to end extreme poverty. Powered by a worldwide community of everyday advocates 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 private sector. Since the movement began, more than USD $50 billion in commitments announced on Global Citizen platforms has been deployed, impacting 1.3 billion lives. Established in Australia in 2008, Global Citizen operates in the US, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, the UAE, and across Asia. Join the movement at globalcitizen.org, download the Global Citizen app, and follow Global Citizen on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and LinkedIn. 

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