Context:
G7 leaders start their annual summit on June 13 looking to double down on support for Ukraine in its war with Russia and offer a united face in confronting China’s political and economic ambitions.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
- About G7
About G7:
- G7 stands for Group of Seven, which is an international intergovernmental economic organization consisting of seven member countries.
- The member countries are the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
- As of 2022, G7 countries make up 10% of the world’s population, 31% of the global GDP, and 21% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
History:
- G7 was founded in 1975 as the G6, consisting of the six richest countries in the world at that time.
- Canada joined the group in 1976, and the group became known as the G7.
- The group meets annually to discuss global economic issues and make decisions that can affect the global economy.
Objectives:
- The main objectives of G7 are to promote economic growth and stability, enhance international trade, and coordinate policies on economic issues among the member countries.
- The group also focuses on addressing global challenges such as climate change, cybersecurity, and geopolitical tensions.
Meetings and decisions:
- G7 leaders meet annually at the G7 Summit to discuss global economic issues and coordinate policies.
- Decisions made by the G7 can have a significant impact on the global economy and international relations.
- The G7 also collaborates with other international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Criticism:
- The G7 has been criticized for being too exclusive, as it only includes the richest countries in the world and does not represent the interests of developing nations.
- Critics also argue that decisions made by the G7 can have negative consequences for developing countries and can perpetuate global economic inequality.
