The G7 Presidency provides an opportunity for the Federal Government to get proactively involved in shaping global issues right at the beginning of the legislative period. It intends to make the most of this opportunity to join forces with international partners to address key issues relating to multilateral cooperation, cohesion within and between societies, and shared challenges.

Priorities of the German G7 agenda

Progress towards an equitable world– this goal is to guide the work of the G7 based on five areas of action. The Federal Government seeks to build on the results of previous Presidencies while at the same time making its own mark by initiating new models of cooperation to tackle global challenges:

1. Sustainable planet 

As a pioneer and based on strong alliances, the G7 will work to protect the climate, the environment and biodiversity and to accelerate the global energy transition.

Through its G7 Presidency, Germany will initiate the establishment of an open, cooperative “Climate Club”. The aim is to move forward together on a socially just transformation, providing a crucial boost for international climate action.

2. Economic stability and transformation

Under its G7 Presidency, the Federal Government firmly believes that an ecologically and socially just transformation can go hand in hand with economic prosperity. This is why the shared focus on sustainable economic recovery and inclusive growth is important to us.

We will continue to coordinate closely within the G7 to shape the recovery of the global economy, which is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, while at the same time setting the course for a sustainable future.

3. Healthy lives

Germany aims to continue to expand the G7’s pioneering role in the commitment to pandemic prevention and control as well as improving the international health architecture.

In order to achieve the goal of the World Health Organisation (WHO) of vaccinating 70 percent of the world’s population against the coronavirus by mid-2022, the global vaccination campaign will require substantial acceleration. Through its G7 Presidency, Germany is therefore promoting support for all pillars of the ACT Accelerator – including its vaccination pillar COVAX – as well as local vaccine production in developing countries.

4. Investment in a better future

Germany aims to use its G7 Presidency to advance international cooperation for sustainable development in the spirit of the 2030 Agenda.

In view of the enormous need for investment in emerging and developing countries worldwide, the G7 is to launch an infrastructure initiative and take on a stronger global role in promoting socially, economically and ecologically sustainable infrastructure along with the relevant framework conditions. In doing so, we will strive to pursue a partnership approach based on concrete initiatives.

There will be a particular focus on climate and health. In view of the severe setbacks caused by the pandemic, we will also seek to make concrete progress in achieving global development goals. Particular focus areas will be food security and girls’ education.

5. Stronger together

The G7 is closely bound by the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Germany aims to use its Presidency to promote a strong commitment to social justice, equality and inclusive digitalisation. At the same time, it will seek to strengthen the role of the G7 as bridge-builders and mediators for peace and security.

Based on common values, we will take a clear stand in connection with international crises and initiate solutions for implementation by the international community. We will vigorously defend the respect for international law and a multilateral, rules-based order.

Here you can find the  G7 Presidency Programme PDF, 204 KB, accessible
 

Maintaining dialogue

The G7 Presidency is a year-round working process. The meetings of the specialist G7 ministers have a key role to play: these take place alongside the summit meeting of the heads of state and government. In addition, host countries and representatives of selected international organisations are regularly invited to attend the G7 Summit.

Through its G7 Presidency, Germany will continue to promote and develop the G7 gender equality goals together with the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council.

The Federal Chancellor will also conduct a comprehensive dialogue with civil society. To this end, he will meet with non-state actors from business (Business7), non-governmental organisations (Civil7), trade unions (Labour7), science (Science7), think tanks (Think7), women (Women7) and youth (Youth7).

The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal forum of leading industrialised nations and democracies. In addition to Germany, it also includes France, the UK, Italy, Japan, Canada and the United States of America. The European Union is also represented at all G7 meetings. The Presidency rotates between members on an annual basis.

Responsibility for the global common good

As leading industrialised countries and value-based partners, G7 members have a particular responsibility to shape a positive future for all people on a healthy planet in the spirit of sustainable economic recovery, the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.

Germany will seek to further strengthen this responsibility through its G7 Presidency and be open to cooperation with all partners to this end, in particular the G20 partners and the United Nations.

The aim is to achieve the most coordinated action possible based on shared democratic values, universal human rights and fair, rules-based multi-lateralism. Proactive dialogue and cooperation beyond the G7 – with other states and with the international community as well as with civil society – are essential here.