G7 Leaders’ Summit 2025
The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Group of 7 (G7) meetings. Canada is hosting the G7 Leaders’ Summit from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta. This will be Canada’s seventh time as host. Notably, India has yet to receive an invitation, which could mark its first absence since 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has attended every summit since then, except for the cancelled 2020 meeting.
About G7
The G7 is an informal group comprising seven major economies – the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. These nations collectively represent about 40% of the global GDP and 10% of the world’s population. The G7 has no legal status or permanent secretariat, and decisions require independent ratification from member states.
Historical Background
The G7 originated from a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in Paris in 1973. This meeting aimed to address economic challenges such as the oil crisis and rising inflation. The first official G7 summit took place in 1975 in Rambouillet, France. Initially, it included six nations, with Canada joining the following year.
Evolution of the Group
In 1977, representatives from the European Economic Community began participating in G7 meetings. After the Cold War, Russia was invited in 1998, transforming the G7 into the G8. However, Russia was expelled in 2014 due to its actions in Crimea, reverting the group back to the G7.
Presidency and Organisation
Each G7 member country holds the presidency in rotation. The presiding country is responsible for organising the summit and setting the agenda. Recently, Canada holds the presidency and is tasked with facilitating discussions among member nations.
Focus Areas and Global Impact
Initially focused on international economic policy, the G7 has broadened its scope to include foreign policy and security issues. The annual summit serves as a platform for discussing shared values and concerns among member countries. The outcomes often influence global governance and decision-making.
Guest Countries and Outreach
Typically, the host country invites additional nations as guest countries or outreach partners. For the 2025 summit, Canada has invited Ukraine and Australia. The list of other guest countries has not yet been disclosed.
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