Leaders of the Group of Seven nations will share the stage on Friday with leaders from India, Brazil, Turkey and other non-Western nations, illustrating the changing global landscape in second day of the summit meeting.
Among the tough questions on the agenda is migration, which has helped fuel the recent rise of populism and far-right parties in Europe and the United States. The leaders will also discuss economic competition with China, security in the Indo-Pacific and the relationship between the West and countries collectively known as the Global South, including the Americas. Latin, Africa and much of the Middle East and Asia.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, who chaired the meeting, said the goal of her expanded guest list was to “strengthen dialogue with countries in the Global South.” She emphasized that the Group of 7 is “not a closed fortress”, but “an offer of values that we open to the world”.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan also emphasized the importance of strengthening relations with partners outside the group, especially the Global South, as the world faces challenges such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and The war between Israel and Hamas threatens to spread to Lebanon.
Much of the attention will focus on leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, an acknowledgment that the West is less dominant demographically and economically. in the world than before and that they are listening. requires more fairness and balance in important decisions.
Topics will include economic security, Africa, the Southern Mediterranean and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
How to control migration has vexed the United States and Europe for years, along with the effects of climate change and wars in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Ukraine. This is a particularly sensitive issue for Ms. Meloni, who has campaigned strongly against what she calls “uncontrolled immigration” to Italy and other parts of Europe from Africa and Middle East.
While Europe has welcomed thousands of Ukrainians, especially women and children, fleeing the Russian invasion, Ukrainian officials have called on European partners to help them repatriate the men. in fighting age.
But much of the day will be spent in face-to-face meetings between leaders, including with Pope Francis, who Meloni invited to attend. After the speech, Francis will meet with President Biden, Modi, Lula, President William Ruto of Kenya, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria.
Mr. Biden is expected to leave Italy in the afternoon, hours before releasing a final communiqué in the early evening. Other leaders will end the working day with a concert and an intimate dinner. Saturday will see more bilateral meetings and a closing press conference by the leaders.
