Italy hosts G7 Summit with global conflicts on the agenda

Italy is hosting the summit of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations in the wake of the European Parliament election, which saw a surge in support for the far right in places like G7 members France and Germany.

According to AP, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni also leads a far-right party but continues to hew to the centre, particularly on foreign policy, which has made her a reassuring transatlantic partner amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

The G7 summit through June 14 is focusing on global conflicts, the spread of artificial intelligence and African issues, with a view in particular to Italy’s longstanding concern about uncontrolled migration to Europe and human traffickers. Perennial issues such as climate change and China also will be discussed.

The G7 is an informal forum with an annual summit to discuss economic policy and security issues. The members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Initially representing 70% of the world's GDP in the 1970s, the G7's influence has waned with the rise of alternative groupings like the G20 and BRICS, indicating a shift in global economic power towards Asia and emerging economies.

This year's summit marks the first meeting since the BRICS group's expansion last year, which includes China and Russia, highlighting growing discontent in the Global South over Western policies.