Leaders of the G7, met for the 43rd G7 summit in Taormina, Sicily, Italy on May 26-27, 2017 to address, in a spirit of cooperation, the global challenges and to respond collectively to the greatest concerns of their citizens. The participants included the leaders of the G7 member states: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US; as well as representatives of the European Union, as its President has been a permanently welcome participant at all meetings and decision-making since 1981. Summit saw leader disagreeing on the ways to deal with globalization and migration issues; were divided on climate change but were closer on trade issues. With the exception of dealing with rule breakers such as Russia on annexing Crimea and concerns about the situation in the East China Sea & South China Sea; there was broad agreement on an array of other issues:
- On Foreign Policy Issues they shared the same interest in strengthening a rules-based international order that promotes peace among nations, safeguards sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all states and ensures the protection of human rights.
- On Global Economy their top priority was to raise global growth to deliver higher living standards and quality jobs. To this end, leaders reaffirmed commitment to use all policy tools – monetary, fiscal and structural – individually and collectively to achieve strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.
- On Inclusive Growth the “Bari Policy Agenda on Growth and Inequalities” adopted by G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was accepted as a framework to foster inclusive growth through a broad menu of policy options. While acknowledging that the inequalities – not just in income, but in all their forms – represent a major source of concern; leaders declared to strive to strengthen the capabilities and resilience of their economies and communities to adjust to the pace of change, so that the global economy works for everyone.
- On Gender Equality being fundamental for the fulfillment of human rights and a top priority, as women and girls are powerful agents for change. Summit concluded that promoting their empowerment and closing the gender gap is not only right, but also smart for the economies, and a crucial contribution to progress towards sustainable development.
- On Trade it was acknowledged that free, fair and mutually beneficial trade and investment, while creating reciprocal benefits, are key engines for growth and job creation.
- On Human Mobility it was elaborated that the ongoing large-scale movement of migrants and refugees is a global trend that, given its implications for security and human rights, calls for coordinated efforts at the national and international level.
- On Africa’s security, stability and sustainable development summit accorded high priorities.
- On Food Security and Nutrition summit laid emphasis on striving at ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture as its crucial goal.
- On Climate and Energy they committed to strengthening our collective energy security and to ensuring open, transparent, liquid and secure global markets for energy resources and technologies.
- On Innovation, Skills and Labor summit stated that the Next Production Revolution (NPR) offers an extraordinary opportunity to increase competitiveness and to boost an innovation-driven growth. By reshaping existing production systems, the NPR can indeed allow all firms – including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) – and help people across all sectors and regions to reap the benefits of innovation and digitalization and enhance women’s opportunities to pursue STEM careers.
- On Health they are committed to advancing global health security and pursuing policies that advance physical and mental health improvements across the globe.
Leaders of the G7 in Taormina agreed to adopt Roadmap for A Gender-Responsive Economic Environment that focuses on the structural policies falling within their central governments’ jurisdiction that are likely to have the greatest impact in delivering gender equality through enabling women’s labor force participation, entrepreneurship, economic empowerment and thus their full and equal participation in society.
Leaders of the G7 issued strongly worded Taormina Statement on the Fight against Terrorism and Violent Extremism expressing their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of the brutal terrorist act in Manchester in the United Kingdom. They condemned in the strongest possible terms terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
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