From war and trade strains to the breakneck advance of artificial intelligence, the leaders of seven of the world’s richest democracies have gathered in the French lakeside resort of Évian-les-Bains for a summit shaped by instability on several fronts.
Across its 50-year history, the G7 has repeatedly convened at moments of upheaval — from the oil shock of the 1970s to the global repercussions of US President Donald Trump’s military strikes against Iran — even as its own relevance is tested by weakening multilateralism and the rising economic and political weight of other powers.
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What is the G7?
The G7 is an informal club of wealthy nations, without a permanent secretariat and with no legal standing.
Russia joined the grouping in 1997, turning it into the G8, but was later suspended in 2014 after annexing Crimea from Ukraine.
France assumed the presidency from Canada in 2026.
US President Donald Trump and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney
How long has it been around?
The G7 was created in the aftermath of the 1973 OPEC oil embargo as a venue where the world’s richest countries could respond to crises shaking the global economy. Together, its members account for more than $50 trillion in annual GDP — just under half of the world economy.
By the 1980s, the group had widened its remit to include political as well as economic questions.
In recent years, inviting other countries has become standard practice. This year, leaders from India, South Korea, Kenya and Brazil are among those attending.
What’s on the agenda at the Évian-les-Bains summit?
Supporting Ukraine
The G7 is expected to project unity behind Ukraine as it confronts a Russian war now in its fifth year.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has floated direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to bring the conflict to a close. He is pushing for Europeans to take a more visible part in that effort, amid concern that the US focus has shifted toward the conflict in Iran.
European members of the G7 want to convince Mr Trump that Ukraine has strengthened its hand, that Europe is now carrying the financial, military and political load of Kyiv’s war effort, and that the group should settle on an approach to meaningful negotiations with Mr Putin.
Mr Zelensky will be in Évian-les-Bains for the discussion on Ukraine.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky
Iran
G7 leaders are meeting just after the US and Iran said they had agreed on a framework to end their war.
The accord is not scheduled to be signed until Friday, but leaders will press for details — especially on how quickly the crucial Strait of Hormuz can reopen to shipping. Mr Trump said it would reopen on Friday and that he had ordered an end to the US blockade on Iranian ports.
Before the summit, France had been eager to secure a common understanding within the G7 and with Middle East partners on what demands could be placed on Iran over its nuclear and ballistic programs.
Leaders from Egypt, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will take part in that discussion.
US President Donald Trump, Kenya’s President William Ruto and France’s President Emmanuel Macron
Correcting global economic imbalances
France frames the problem bluntly: China produces too much, the US consumes too much, and Europe invests too little.
Western concern has been mounting over China’s record trade surplus and its climb up the value chain. Beijing, for its part, has defended its industrial policies and dismissed claims that Chinese exporters benefit unfairly from state subsidies.
Emmanuel Macron has tried to mount a last-minute push for a cooperative path before the EU decides whether to harden its trade stance toward China.
With China not represented at the summit table, expectations for a breakthrough are low. France has said that simply securing recognition of the problem would amount to progress.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung
Artificial Intelligence
France has invited around a dozen senior technology executives — among them OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei — to discuss the newest artificial intelligence systems and the risks and opportunities they present.
Also on the agenda are the protection of children online and digital infrastructure, though not the taxation of digital giants.
Debt burden of developing nations
G7 leaders are also expected to signal their determination to tackle the heavy debt burden weighing on many emerging market and developing countries. What that resolve will translate into in practical terms remains unclear.
