anada’s Group of Seven (G7) presidency comes at a pivotal time. Can members find common purpose and spearhead global initiatives at a time when economic uncertainty and political tensions are both surging globally? This year’s summit—convening for its 50th anniversary on 15–17 June in Alberta, Canada— Canada’s G7 agenda addresses global security, the digital future, and the global economy.
The effectiveness of previous G7 summits has been questioned, with one study showing a 76% compliance rate of G7 commitments between 1975 and 2017. Today, those numbers may be optimistic as heightened political tensions among G7 members as well as the world at large mean some previously uncontroversial G7 initiatives now must be carefully navigated to ensure the G7 countries work together. For instance, G7 commitments from last year on financial assistance for Ukraine from frozen Russian assets and a pledge to phase out coal may not be so popular this year. Shifting attitudes on Ukraine and the climate crisis—led by the U.S. but not unique to the U.S.—could disrupt progress.
Ahead of the 2025 G7 summit, Canada hosted the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in May. In the published statement, those in attendance confirmed their commitment to cooperation among the G7 countries. Notably, the statement reaffirmed the G7’s desire to support Ukraine, while keeping the possibility of increasing sanctions against Russia if a ceasefire is not reached. However, the statement does not mention climate change. Similarly, Canada’s finance minister and the EU trade commissioner referenced the tension in trade discussions, specifically around the U.S.’s tariffs. Nevertheless, the agreements reached in the statement give optimism for the upcoming summit.
For insight into the 2025 G7 summit agenda, Canada’s Prime Minister released the three priorities that will guide the upcoming discussions.
- “Protecting our communities and the world”
Under this priority, Canada aims to lead the G7 countries to foster global peace and security. As mentioned in the May meeting’s statement, this discussion will include supporting Ukraine, calling for a ceasefire, and, if necessary, increasing sanctions against Russia. Canada’s foreign minister has also suggested the need to address maritime security.
Another goal is to combat foreign interference and crime. These discussions will focus on supporting already established frameworks to combat financial crime, like the Financial Action Task Force. The IMF found that illicit financial flows (IFFs) destabilize local and global economies, and the World Bank suggests major reforms to address IFFs in developing countries. The upcoming summit will likely see talk of secure information sharing to address these international financial crimes.
This priority will also center around combating wildfires. The intensity, size, and number of wildfires are increasing drastically thanks to the climate crisis. North America is especially struggling with these natural disasters, and there are plans in place should a wildfire endanger the 2025 G7 summit.
- “Building energy security and accelerating the digital transition”
The upcoming summit will address AI and how to best mitigate the risks of rapidly developing technology. The May statement suggests the G7 countries will continue to utilize the Organization for Economic Co–operation and Development’s Hiroshima AI Process framework for monitoring AI, established during the 2023 G7 summit. Discussions will include how countries can harness AI for economic growth.
Similarly, the summit will address securing the supply chains of critical minerals. China currently dominates the critical mineral discourse, as China has continually increased its control over processing, licensing, and regulating these materials. Thus, for the G7 countries to create secure supply chains, they will likely have to cooperate to develop an investment pool, working in the long–term to gain footing in the industry. The May statement also shows the countries’ support for the World Bank’s Resilient and Inclusive Supply–Chain Enhancement for developing countries, especially the initiative’s expansion in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The discussions of developing technology will be prevalent for the former priority of combating financial crime, as leaders will explore how new technology could improve security, and the next priority, for developing infrastructure and creating new market industries. For instance, Quantum Industry Canada urged the summit to focus on quantum technology to improve financial security and economic growth.
- “Securing the partnerships of the future”
The May statement suggests the G7 countries’ strong commitment to working together to improve the global economy. Although these measures will vary from country to country, discussions will center around collaborative efforts to create dynamic markets, invest in infrastructure, and encourage cooperation between public and private sectors. Notably, although the statement does not mention the U.S. tariffs, Canada’s finance minister has indicated that the tariffs will be addressed to successfully discuss economic growth.
In the May statement, the G7 countries agreed to raise long–term economic growth potential, thus reducing financial risks and increasing wages. The World Bank reports that global economic prospects will improve by stabilizing trade and supporting vulnerable countries. Similarly, the statement acknowledges the need to strengthen global crisis preparedness and response strategies.
Another central topic of discussion will encourage G7 leaders to come to a consensus on how non–market policies and practices (NMPPs) disrupt global markets. The discussion of NMPPs will likely include China, as the G7 countries have been critical of its subsidized industries.
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Cooperation, compromise critical as G7 convenes amid uncertainty
Kananaskis Village, Alberta, Canada will host the G7 Summit this year. Image courtesy of Stephen Colebourne via Flickr. CC BY-ND 2.0
June 12, 2025
The G7 summit aims to address global security, the digital future, and the global economy this year. Will G7 president Canada be able to convince G7 members to find common ground amid global economic uncertainty and growing political tensions? Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull explores.
C
anada’s Group of Seven (G7) presidency comes at a pivotal time. Can members find common purpose and spearhead global initiatives at a time when economic uncertainty and political tensions are both surging globally? This year’s summit—convening for its 50th anniversary on 15–17 June in Alberta, Canada— Canada’s G7 agenda addresses global security, the digital future, and the global economy.
The effectiveness of previous G7 summits has been questioned, with one study showing a 76% compliance rate of G7 commitments between 1975 and 2017. Today, those numbers may be optimistic as heightened political tensions among G7 members as well as the world at large mean some previously uncontroversial G7 initiatives now must be carefully navigated to ensure the G7 countries work together. For instance, G7 commitments from last year on financial assistance for Ukraine from frozen Russian assets and a pledge to phase out coal may not be so popular this year. Shifting attitudes on Ukraine and the climate crisis—led by the U.S. but not unique to the U.S.—could disrupt progress.
Ahead of the 2025 G7 summit, Canada hosted the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in May. In the published statement, those in attendance confirmed their commitment to cooperation among the G7 countries. Notably, the statement reaffirmed the G7’s desire to support Ukraine, while keeping the possibility of increasing sanctions against Russia if a ceasefire is not reached. However, the statement does not mention climate change. Similarly, Canada’s finance minister and the EU trade commissioner referenced the tension in trade discussions, specifically around the U.S.’s tariffs. Nevertheless, the agreements reached in the statement give optimism for the upcoming summit.
For insight into the 2025 G7 summit agenda, Canada’s Prime Minister released the three priorities that will guide the upcoming discussions.
- “Protecting our communities and the world”
Under this priority, Canada aims to lead the G7 countries to foster global peace and security. As mentioned in the May meeting’s statement, this discussion will include supporting Ukraine, calling for a ceasefire, and, if necessary, increasing sanctions against Russia. Canada’s foreign minister has also suggested the need to address maritime security.
Another goal is to combat foreign interference and crime. These discussions will focus on supporting already established frameworks to combat financial crime, like the Financial Action Task Force. The IMF found that illicit financial flows (IFFs) destabilize local and global economies, and the World Bank suggests major reforms to address IFFs in developing countries. The upcoming summit will likely see talk of secure information sharing to address these international financial crimes.
This priority will also center around combating wildfires. The intensity, size, and number of wildfires are increasing drastically thanks to the climate crisis. North America is especially struggling with these natural disasters, and there are plans in place should a wildfire endanger the 2025 G7 summit.
- “Building energy security and accelerating the digital transition”
The upcoming summit will address AI and how to best mitigate the risks of rapidly developing technology. The May statement suggests the G7 countries will continue to utilize the Organization for Economic Co–operation and Development’s Hiroshima AI Process framework for monitoring AI, established during the 2023 G7 summit. Discussions will include how countries can harness AI for economic growth.
Similarly, the summit will address securing the supply chains of critical minerals. China currently dominates the critical mineral discourse, as China has continually increased its control over processing, licensing, and regulating these materials. Thus, for the G7 countries to create secure supply chains, they will likely have to cooperate to develop an investment pool, working in the long–term to gain footing in the industry. The May statement also shows the countries’ support for the World Bank’s Resilient and Inclusive Supply–Chain Enhancement for developing countries, especially the initiative’s expansion in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The discussions of developing technology will be prevalent for the former priority of combating financial crime, as leaders will explore how new technology could improve security, and the next priority, for developing infrastructure and creating new market industries. For instance, Quantum Industry Canada urged the summit to focus on quantum technology to improve financial security and economic growth.
- “Securing the partnerships of the future”
The May statement suggests the G7 countries’ strong commitment to working together to improve the global economy. Although these measures will vary from country to country, discussions will center around collaborative efforts to create dynamic markets, invest in infrastructure, and encourage cooperation between public and private sectors. Notably, although the statement does not mention the U.S. tariffs, Canada’s finance minister has indicated that the tariffs will be addressed to successfully discuss economic growth.
In the May statement, the G7 countries agreed to raise long–term economic growth potential, thus reducing financial risks and increasing wages. The World Bank reports that global economic prospects will improve by stabilizing trade and supporting vulnerable countries. Similarly, the statement acknowledges the need to strengthen global crisis preparedness and response strategies.
Another central topic of discussion will encourage G7 leaders to come to a consensus on how non–market policies and practices (NMPPs) disrupt global markets. The discussion of NMPPs will likely include China, as the G7 countries have been critical of its subsidized industries.
