The G7 meets annually, with the meeting location rotating between members. This year, France is hosting the G7 in the town of Évian-les-Bains near the Swiss border.
The summit is expected to focus on international conflicts, the global economy, and the role of AI.
It begins on Monday (local time).
G7
The G7, formed in 1975, is an organisation made up of seven large advanced economies: Canada, Italy, the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
The EU also attends, though is not part of the official number.
Its main purpose is discussions and policy agreements between the nations.
Russia was a member from 1998 till 2014. It was excluded after it annexed the Ukrainian territory of Crimea, considered illegal under international law.
Agenda
1) International conflicts:
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Leaders are expected to discuss the U.S. and Iran’s peace deal. They will also likely discuss clearing the sea mines Iran dropped in the Strait of Hormuz, to make it safe to re-establish global supply chains. Russia’s war with Ukraine will be on the agenda, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hosting a session on the sidelines of the summit.
2) Global economy:
Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, leaders are expected to discuss rising energy and fuel costs, and the flow of critical minerals.
It’s also anticipated leaders will discuss concerns about China selling goods overseas for a cheaper cost, making it harder for other countries’ businesses to compete.
3) Artificial intelligence:
As host, French President Emmanuel Macron has invited executives from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic to the summit. Leaders are also expected to discuss children’s online safety.
Australia
Australia is not a G7 member. Prime Ministers have attended previous summits when invited by that year’s host.
The Nightly was the first to report that Macron had not invited Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was present at the summit last year in Canada.
Last month, Liberal Senator James Paterson said: “It’s actually a really disappointing decision because for the best part of the last decade, Australia has been invited to participate in the G7. And I think we have things to contribute.”
