TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
THE CONTEXT: The Group of Seven (G7) countries will convene for the Leaders’ Summit in Italy’s Apulia region from June 13 to 15, 2024.
EXPLANATION:
- This year’s summit comes at a pivotal time, as member countries—Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union—grapple with numerous global challenges.
- India’s Prime Minister will attend as an Outreach Country, marking his first foreign visit in his third term.
G7
- The Group of 7 (G7) is an informal group of seven countries, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, the heads of which hold an annual summit with the European Union and other invitees.
- Together the member countries represent 40% of global GDP and 10% of the world’s population.
- The G7 draws its roots from a meeting between the current G7 members, excluding Canada, that took place in 1975.
- At the time, the global economy was in a state of recession due to the OPEC oil embargo.
- After this first summit, the countries agreed to meet annually, and a year later, Canada was invited into the group marking the official formation of the G7 as we know it.
- The President of the European Commission was asked to join the meetings in 1977, and following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and a subsequent thaw in relations between the East and West, Russia was also invited to join the group 1998.
- Thereafter the group was named the G8 until 2014, when Russia was expelled for its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
First G7 Summit
- The first G7 summit took place in 1975 in Rambouillet, France, involving leaders from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, and Japan.
- Canada joined in 1976, and the European Economic Community (now the European Union) has participated since 1977.
- Russia joined in 1998, expanding the group to the G8, but was suspended in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea.
Evolution of the G7
- Initially an economic forum, the G7 has evolved into a platform addressing a wide range of global challenges.
- It lacks a permanent administrative structure, rotating its presidency annually.
- The hosting country serves as a temporary secretariat, concluding each summit with a communiqué outlining political commitments.
- The G7 has significantly influenced global governance, agenda-setting, and decision-making processes.
- Despite its achievements, its relevance has been questioned as its members’ combined share of global GDP has declined—from roughly 50% in the 1970s to around 30% in 2018.
- The rise of China, India, and other emerging economies has led to calls for a more representative global governance structure.
Criticisms and Calls for Reform
- The G20, established in response to the 2008 financial crisis, is seen as a more inclusive forum.
- Critics argue that the G20’s creation highlighted the G7’s inability to handle modern crises.
- However, the G20 is considered “too big and heterogeneous” to make decisions effectively outside of deep crises.
- Some suggest a reconfigured G7+ that includes China, India, and Brazil to better reflect the current global economic landscape.
- The G7 has faced internal cooperation challenges, particularly during Donald Trump’s presidency, when the US was often at odds with other members.
- For example, Trump skipped a climate meeting at the 2019 summit.
- Despite such challenges, the G7 has played a crucial role in coordinating economic policies, promoting trade practices, shaping global governance, and supporting security and development initiatives.
2024 G7 Summit Agenda
- Economic Policies and Global Stability
- The 2024 summit aims to coordinate economic policies to stabilize the global economy amidst inflation and trade tensions.
- Strengthening partnerships with developing nations, particularly in Africa, will be a key focus.
- Climate Change
- Addressing climate change is a top priority, with discussions centered on reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy sources.
- Recent climate records highlight the urgency for collective action.
- Global Health Initiatives
- In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the G7 will prioritize global health, focusing on pandemic preparedness and vaccine distribution.
- Ensuring robust health systems globally is crucial for future resilience.
- Geopolitical Tensions
- Geopolitical issues, including relations with China and Russia and ongoing global conflicts, will be addressed.
- Defending the “rules-based international system” amid Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine and addressing the Middle East conflict are critical agenda items.
- Emerging Technologies
- The summit will explore the regulation of emerging technologies, data privacy, and cybersecurity.
- Ensuring that these technologies benefit global development while safeguarding privacy and security is essential.