Translated by. Chiara Lamedica
From 15 to 17 June 2026, the G7 Leaders' Summit was held in Évian-les-Bains under the French Presidency of the Group of Seven. The Summit brought together the Heads of State and Government of Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States, alongside representatives of the European Union, with the aim of addressing some of the most pressing crises shaping the current international landscape.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict, escalating tensions in the Middle East, profound changes in the global economy, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. In addition to the G7 members, the Summit was attended by several partner countries, including Brazil, India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Kenya, as well as representatives of the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Their participation underscored the G7's commitment to broadening dialogue and strengthening engagement with other key actors in the international community.
According to the official programme published by the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took part in the sessions devoted to international security, support for Ukraine, partnerships with emerging countries, and discussions with leading stakeholders in the field of artificial intelligence. On the sidelines of the Summit, she also held bilateral meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa participated in the proceedings alongside the G7 leaders and representatives of numerous partner countries, underscoring the European Union's role as a key actor in multilateral governance.
The European Commission highlighted that the Summit devoted significant attention to peace and security in Europe, as well as to stability in the Middle East.
One of the Summit's central topics was continued support for Ukraine. The dedicated session was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, who reaffirmed the United States' commitment to pursuing a negotiated settlement to the conflict. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also announced a new European Union financial assistance package for Kyiv.
The situation in the Middle East also featured prominently on the Summit's agenda. The recent memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran reshaped the geopolitical landscape in the days immediately preceding the meeting, raising expectations of a possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the launch of renewed negotiations on regional security.
According to OECD data, official development assistance (ODA) provided by advanced economies declined by more than 23 percent in 2025 compared with the previous year, while in many economically vulnerable countries an increasing share of export revenues has been allocated to servicing external debt. At the same time, the debate on the green transition received less attention, largely as a result of the highly critical stance adopted by the U.S. administration toward climate policies.
These developments illustrate how the G7's agenda is now heavily shaped by pressing geopolitical crises, creating the risk that some of the world's most significant long-term challenges receive only partial attention. The growing multipolarity of the international system, the increasing influence of emerging economies, and the absence of binding decision-making powers continue to constrain the forum's ability to shape the international order directly.
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