Global Superstar And Humanitarian Ricky Martin Brings Hope And Transformation To The Global Citizen Forum’s Annual Summit In Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Ricky Martin and the Ricky Martin Foundation participated this week at the Global Citizen Forum Annual Summit in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The empowering and immersive experience was curated by the GCF team to offer an authentic expression of global citizenship catalyzed by the evolution of humanity and covered a diverse range of topics — from global economics and the escalating refugee crisis, to empowering female leadership and unlocking technological advances for human health and wellness.

“One of the very first initiatives of the Ricky Martin Foundation was ‘People for Children,’ because that’s what we were,” Martin shared with the crowd during his inspiring beachfront event entitled “Global Citizenship In Action,” which closed out two days of conscience-raising events at the Summit. “Isn’t it what we ALL are? People looking out for the next generation, for the children of the world? We are ALL Global Citizens.”

In addition to Martin’s keynote, a few events in the Summit’s lineup included “The Butterfly Effect: Human Metamorphosis” by Armand Arton, Founder, Global Citizen Forum, “Being Human” by Bobby Sager, Chairman, Sager Family Foundation; “Look Within to go Beyond,” a sunset meditation led by Deepak Chopra, Founder, The Chopra Foundation; “Migration X: What Are We Doing Right” including Khaled Khalifa, UNHCR and “You’ve Got the Love: Release the Music In You” including Wyclef Jean.

While at the Summit, which was attended by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Martin also had the opportunity to discuss his Foundation’s work one-on-one withH.E. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA); and H.E. Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, who invited Martin and the Foundation team to visit Dubai’s Museum of the Future. The museum’s goal is to inspire and empower people to positively shape humanity’s next chapter.

“It was an innovative and enlightening experience I will never forget,” shared Martin, after visiting the Museum of the Future. “It’s all about what’s coming – and a shot of reality for those who aren’t yet in acceptance that our world is changing. The museum visually illustrates how we need to work together to protect the earth and humanity – that this is truly the only route forward. I can’t wait to bring my children back to experience it together.”

Martin’s participation in the Summit as a global humanitarian highlighted the work that the Ricky Martin Foundation has done to educate, protect and advocate for vulnerable communities for over two decades. The Foundation has long been recognized as a leading force in the fight against human trafficking, as well as for its immediate humanitarian response following natural disasters both in Puerto Rico and around the world. Martin’s speech also touched on the impact Hurricane Maria had on his home island in 2017 and how his foundation helped transcend the darkness, as the power-grid remained down for over two years.

He closed out his powerful, standing-room-only address by returning to the Summit’s theme of metamorphosis. “To achieve peace, we must first fight for unity. We must first transform ourselves. Experience our OWN metamorphosis. Only then, can we collectively take that to the next level. To do so, we need to quiet our minds and let our hearts speak. We need to get our souls ready to embrace the opportunity to impact all of humanity.  Because together, we can transform the world.

Following the closure of the Summit, the GCF Gala featured a fundraising auction to support UNHCR projects across the globe, programs of the Ricky Martin Foundation, and the Global Gift Foundation.

“Funds allocated to the Ricky Martin Foundation will be used to expand our educational programs that raise awareness of human trafficking, curated to demographics including youth and teens, that we administer at our home base of Centro Tau in Loiza, Puerto Rico; as well as to tourism driven entities, governmental agencies, law schools and private corporations in Puerto Rico; and hopefully soon, beyond,” shared Nilda Morales, CEO of the Ricky Martin Foundation, who accompanied Martin to the Summit. “We are looking forward to collaborating with many of those we met in Ras Al Khaimah, as we know that this is always the key to long lasting, sustainable impact.”

Talimka Yordanova, CEO of the Global Citizen Forum, said: “We were thrilled to have welcomed Ricky and his Foundation team to our extraordinary line-up of dignitaries, delegates, and attendees in Ras Al Khaimah for this year’s Annual Summit. We truly value the incredible work driven by the Ricky Martin Foundation which will further allow us to extend the reach and impact of our mission.” 

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