The 51st G7 summit is underway from June 15 to 17, 2025, in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, bringing together leaders from the world’s seven largest advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with representatives from the European Union. This gathering serves as a critical forum for discussing pressing international issues and coordinating collective responses to global challenges.
The Group of Seven, or G7, originated in 1975 as a forum for the world’s major industrialized democracies to collaborate on economic policy. Initially formed as the G6 in France, Canada joined a year later, and Russia was briefly a member from 1998 until its removal in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea, which returned the group to the G7 format. The summit is held annually, rotating among member countries, and aims to foster cooperation on economic stability, security, and global development.
This year’s summit marks the first G7 meeting for several new leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. It also marks the return of U.S. President Donald Trump to the summit stage since 2019. Other notable attendees include French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will participate virtually.
Canada, as the host, has extended invitations beyond the core G7 members to several non-member countries and international organizations. Invited guests include Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the heads of NATO and other key global institutions. However, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, initially invited, has confirmed he will not attend.
Canada’s 2025 G7 presidency is centered on three key priorities. First, it aims to protect communities and the world by enhancing peace and security, combating foreign interference and transnational crime, and improving coordinated responses to wildfires. Second, it focuses on building energy security and accelerating digital transformation by securing critical mineral supply chains and harnessing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing to stimulate economic growth. Lastly, Canada seeks to secure future partnerships by encouraging private investment to develop infrastructure, generate higher-paying jobs, and expand markets for competitive businesses.
Additionally, the summit will address ongoing global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East. The recent attacks by Israel on Iranian military and nuclear sites have heightened concerns about a potential full-scale war in the region, making security discussions a priority.
Trade issues also remain high on the agenda, especially given the recent U.S. imposition of tariffs and the ongoing complexities in relations with China. The G7 finance ministers have already pledged to monitor “nonmarket policies” that disrupt global trade, a veiled reference to practices often attributed to China. Discussions are expected to cover China’s military activities in the East and South China Seas and the broader implications for regional stability.
The summit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension and shifting alliances. The last G7 summit held in Canada in 2018 was marked by significant friction between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, illustrating the challenges of maintaining cohesion among the group’s members. This year’s meeting is expected to be equally complex, with Trump’s “America First” stance influencing U.S. engagement and his administration’s recent trade policies causing unease among partners.
The G7 collectively accounts for roughly 44% of the global GDP but represents only about 10% of the world’s population, underscoring its economic influence despite its limited demographic reach. The summit’s role as a crisis response group is particularly relevant now, as the world faces multiple simultaneous challenges, from geopolitical conflicts to economic uncertainties and climate-related disasters.
Canada’s hosting of the summit in the scenic Rockies town of Kananaskis offers a backdrop for intense discussions that could shape global policy for the coming years. Prime Minister Carney’s leadership focuses on fostering unity and coordinated action among reliable partners to confront the complex issues facing the international community.
The outcomes of this summit are likely to influence global economic policies, security frameworks, and international cooperation efforts, especially as the G7 seeks to reaffirm its relevance in a rapidly changing world order.
