Members of the Recording Academy, Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance, United Nations Human Rights, and University of Oxford gathered for an exclusive event at the Recording Academy’s New York townhouse on September 24 to promote climate justice work and rights-based climate action around the world.
Held during the 79th United Nations General Assembly Week in New York, the event showcased the people and organizations working to raise global awareness, advocate for climate action, and ensure that human rights are central to the climate conversation. The event was also held to promote the 2025 Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit.
Performing at the private industry event, which was held at the Recording Academy’s New York townhouse, were international recording artists Khatia Buniatishvili, Felukah, and Fally Ipupa. This was the second time the Academy has hosted an event during the United Nations General Assembly with United Nations Human Rights and the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance.
"We remain incredibly proud of the work we are doing with Right Here, Right Now and we were honored to host an amazing night of music," said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. "As we continue to expand our global efforts as an Academy, I’m thrilled to be able to help showcase how the power of music can raise awareness and help promote change surrounding human rights issues around the world."
The event follows an announcement that the Recording Academy is expanding its efforts to support music creators in Africa and the Middle East; the organization aims to build a framework that will help protect artists and fuel creative development globally. Through various initiatives, the Academy has expanded its reach to recognize that musicians can act as influential voices for justice.
"The climate crisis is an urgent human rights crisis. It’s impacting housing, food, water, health and so much more — affecting the rights of millions around the world," said Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. "UN Human Rights is grateful to the Recording Academy and Oxford University for their commitment to work with us to advance human rights solutions to prevent, minimize and remedy the human suffering caused by the climate crisis."
Professor Irene Tracey, Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford, added that her organization was grateful for the Academy’s efforts to spotlight human rights and climate change. "In June 2025 we look forward to bringing together researchers, students and the music community, with the common goal of finding solutions to one of the most pressing issues of our times, climate change."
The Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance was launched with UN Human Rights at COP26 in Glasgow, with the backing musicians including Camilla Cabello and Quincy Jones. "With best in class partners UN Human Rights, the Recording Academy and University of Oxford, we’re excited to leverage their powerful voices, for those who all too often have none," said David Clark, Founder and CEO of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance.
UN Human Rights and the University of Oxford will host the 2025 Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit from June 4-7, 2025. The Summit will bring together renowned leaders, policymakers, technologists, academics, universities, celebrities, and others to advance climate justice through human rights solutions to the climate crisis.