Outcome of the 50th G7 Summit, held in Apulia, Italy

Written by Marc Jütten (Members’ Research Service) with Kadri Paris (Transatlantic Relations and Global Governance Unit, DG for External Policies).

G7 leaders gathered under the Italian presidency from 13 to 15 June 2024 in Apulia, Italy, for the 50th G7 Summit. The summit was a demonstration of the G7’s unity and determination in the face of intense challenges to the rules-based multilateral order and international peace and security: Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the war in Gaza. In the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the leaders agreed to provide US$50 billion in additional funding to Ukraine from frozen Russian sovereign assets. The leaders also backed the comprehensive deal on Gaza outlined by United States (US) President Joe Biden. The Italian presidency put special focus on energy cooperation with Africa as a priority for the G7.

Background

On 1 January 2024, Italy took over the G7 presidency from Japan (Canada will follow in 2025). While the Italian presidency did not present a ‘roadmap’, its guiding priorities were: artificial intelligence (AI), Ukraine, Gaza, migration and Africa. Whereas the Japanese presidency had focused primarily on the economic security agenda and related policies, Italy identified Africa as a new priority topic for its presidency. This initiative is in line with the Mattei plan for Africa, which seeks to position Italy as an energy hub between Africa and Europe, investing in gas and hydrogen pipelines between the two continents.

In addition, the Italian presidency placed the focus on AI, carrying forward the Hiroshima AI process launched by the G7 last year. As was the case with the two previous G7 summits, Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine overshadowed the gathering and put the focus on G7 support for Ukraine. This year, another conflict in the EU’s neighbourhood, in Gaza, was added to the agenda.

The Group of Seven (G7)
The G7 Speakers’ Meeting provides an opportunity for the presidents of the parliaments of the G7 countries and of the European Parliament to meet annually to discuss parliamentary responses to international issues. The next meeting will take place in from 5 to 7 September 2024, in Verona, Italy.
The group meets annually to discuss issues such as global economic governance, international security, and, most recently, artificial intelligence (AI).
The aggregate gross domestic product (GDP) of G7 member states represents about 30 per cent of the global economy.
The G7 is home to over 776 million people.
The G7 Speakers’ Meeting provides an opportunity for the presidents of the parliaments of the G7 countries and of the European Parliament to meet annually to discuss parliamentary responses to international issues. The next meeting will take place in from 5 to 7 September 2024, in Verona, Italy.

The EU was represented at the summit by Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Ahead of the summit, Michel published an article entitled ‘Forging a new era of cooperation‘ in which he outlined three key areas on which the G7 should focus: (i) partnering more closely with Africa; (ii) tackling food insecurity and strengthening global food systems; and (iii) strengthening health systems across Africa.

In line with previous G7 presidencies, the Italian presidency had invited representatives of other states and international organisations to take part in some working sessions, illustrating the G7 ambition to foster alliances with countries from the ‘Global South’. Overall, the leaders of eleven countries and five international organisations participated, including: Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil – holder of this year’s G20 presidency; Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India; Javier Milei, President of Argentina; Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, President of Mauritania, in his capacity as Chair of the African Union (AU); and Pope Francis, who addressed the leaders in a session on AI.

Outcome of the summit

During the summit, G7 leaders held six working sessions:

• Africa, climate change and development
• The ongoing situation in the Middle East
• Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
• Migration
• Indo-Pacific / Economic security
• Artificial intelligence and energy / Africa and the Mediterranean region

On 14 June, the G7 leaders adopted a 36-page communiqué. The document starts with a preamble in which the G7 stresses various commitments ‘to meet global challenges at a crucial moment in history’. It states that the G7 stands ready to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom and its reconstruction, for as long as it takes, and commits to taking concrete steps to address the triple crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The communiqué then addresses a wide range of topics, including: the conflict in Gaza; freedom of navigation in the Red Sea; Iran; fostering partnerships with African countries; sustainable development and food security; the Indo-Pacific region; and AI. China is a recurring theme, with the summit’s final communiqué referencing the country 29 times. It expresses concern about China’s trading practices – including its harmful overcapacity and market distortions – and calls on China to cease the transfer of dual-use materials to Russia.

However, media attention was drawn first and foremost to the G7 leaders’ commitment to provide US$50 billion in additional funding to Ukraine from Russia’s frozen state assets (despite complex legal challenges). The details of the financing arrangement will be spelt out in the coming months, and the loan will be issued by the end of the year. On the margins of the summit, Ukraine signed bilateral security agreements with the US and Japan.

The second key message from Apulia concerned the war in Gaza. G7 leaders stood united behind the comprehensive deal outlined by the US government, involving a three-step approach that could lead to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and a credible pathway towards peace under a two-state solution. Leaders also called for a significant and sustained increase in humanitarian assistance.

On the Italian presidency’s key priority, the G7 leaders (including the EU) and African partners adopted a joint statement on energy for growth in Africa. The initiative is about helping to develop clean energy projects, attract private capital and concessional finance, and overcome barriers to investment in clean energy across Africa. The G7 also introduced the Apulia food systems initiative, designed to strengthen global food security.

Marking a reversal compared with the Hiroshima communiqué, this year’s outcome document made no reference to ‘access to safe and legal abortion’, but it kept the call to guarantee comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services and rights for all.

In addition to the summit declarations, the G7 leaders and ministerial actors adopted a number of statements and documents prior to the summit, such as the G7 leaders’ statement on synthetic drugs threats and the G7 leaders’ statement on Iran’s attack against Israel.

Observers’ views

According to experts, the Apulia Summit gave a strong performance on its key issues, producing at least 469 commitments. Oxfam welcomed the fact that for the first time in their 50-year history, G7 leaders had all agreed to increase taxes on the richest people. On a more general note, some observers repeated their call to institutionalise the G7 with permanent staff and a secretariat, and to expand membership to include Australia and the Republic of Korea.

Looking ahead, the Apulia Summit took place in a climate of uncertainty for the future unity of the group, not least with the possibility of a second Trump term and the rise of alternative institutions, such as the G20 and BRICS+.

Read this briefing on ‘Outcome of the 50th G7 Summit, held in Apulia, Italy‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.