Here is everything you need to know about the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.
This year’s G7 summit was held against the background of the biggest geopolitical crisis since 1945.
This year’s agenda was about confirming support for Ukraine, continuation of sanctions against Russia, Beijing's growing influence, climate change, to demonstrate the group’s unity, nuclear disarmament among other issues.
Final summary, 21 May:
The Group of Seven united in urging China to pressure its strategic partner Russia to end its war on Ukraine and resolve territorial disputes peacefully.
In a joint statement, the G7 leaders emphasized they did not want to harm China and were seeking “constructive and stable relations” with Beijing.
The G7 statement was released on the second day of a three-day summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Hiroshima on Saturday.
Zelensky is expected to participate in meetings planned for Sunday, amid reports of Wagner group capturing the city of Bakhmut. Wagner is a Russian private military company that has been helping Russia at the frontlines.
The Chinese foreign ministry said, China firmly opposes the G7 joint statement out of Hiroshima and has complained to summit organiser Japan.
In a statement, Beijing said that the G7 disregarded China's concerns, attacked China and interfered in its internal affairs, including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Tibet.
Day 1 Summary, 19 May:
Japanese Prime minister Kishida welcomed leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union is also a non-enumerated member.
The summit began on Friday morning with prime minister Fumio Kishida welcoming the visiting leaders and officials at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
They laid wreaths for the thousands of people who were killed when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city in 1945.
Discussions started at about noon with Russia’s special military operations in Ukraine and how to respond to it is top on the agenda. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the G7 nations remain committed to providing economic and military support to Ukraine.
G7 leaders have called for a “world without nuclear weapons”, urging Russia, Iran, China and North Korea to cease nuclear escalation and embrace non-proliferation.
The US President Joe Biden informed G7 leaders that Washington will support a joint effort with EU allies to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
Japanese protesters took to the streets of Hiroshima city for a “Crush G7 Summit”. These Survivors of the US nuclear bombing of Hiroshima are hoping their tragic stories will have a lasting impact on the G7 leaders discussing modern day issues of war and peace.
What is the G7 summit?
The G7 (Group of Seven) is an organisation of the world’s seven largest so-called “advanced” economies, which dominate global trade and the international financial system, comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Russia joined the group in 1998, but was excluded after its annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Every year since the 1970s, the leaders of these countries have gathered to discuss the most pressing global issues, with this year marking the 47th meeting of the G7.
At the end of the summit, a statement of intent is issued, outlining what’s been agreed. We shall debrief you once this final statement of intent is released.
Where is the G7 summit held?
Each year, each member country of the G7 takes its turn to host the G7 summit and to take on the year-long presidency.
This year, Japan is hosting the G7 summit and is taking over the presidency, and the event is taking place from May 19 to May 21, at Hiroshima.
Does the G7 have any power?
The G7 can’t pass any laws, because it is made up of separate nations with their own democratic processes. However, some of its past decisions have had global effects.
For example, the G7 played a crucial role in setting up a global fund to fight malaria and Aids in 2002 and, ahead of the 2021 G7 summit in the UK, the G7 finance ministers agreed to make multinational companies pay more tax.
Additionally, it provided financial aid to developing countries as well as addressing climate change.
Who is attending the 2023 G7 summit?
- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, United Kingdom.
- Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Germany.
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada.
- President Emmanuel Macron, France.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy.
- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan.
- President Joe Biden, United States.
- Heads of states from India, Australia, Ukraine, South Korea, etc and EU have also been invited.
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