Since this afternoon, the leaders of the G7 have gathered in Elmau, southern Germany, for a three-day summit, mainly devoted to the war in Ukraine. But other themes are also on the agenda, such as climate change and the energy crisis.
Today, leaders of the US, Japan, the UK, France, Italy, Canada, Germany and the EU spoke about China’s increased influence in developing countries. China invests a lot in roads and other infrastructure worldwide. To counter that influence, G7 leaders want to create a global infrastructure and investment partnership.
Solar parks and hospitals
The members of the G7 aim to raise 600 billion dollars (570 billion euros) in private and public funds over five years for infrastructure development in low-wage countries. The US is investing 200 billion in the next five years and the EU is earmarking 300 billion.
Among the first projects to receive money are solar parks in Angola, the construction of hospitals in Côte d’Ivoire and an energy project in South Africa. According to European Commission President von der Leyen, the partnership should show developing countries “that they have a choice”.
In the coming days – the summit lasts until Tuesday – the G7 leaders will talk further about the situation in Ukraine, including with President Zelensky via a video link.
The leaders are expected to promise more military aid to Kiev and impose more sanctions against Moscow. The UK, US, Canada and Japan have already announced bans on the import of Russian gold. The US hopes that the rest of the G7 will join in.
Decisive moment
At the beginning of the summit, German Chancellor Scholz said that unity is the clear message from the G7 to Putin. US President Biden also called for unity in both the G7 and NATO, with a summit to begin in Madrid on Tuesday. He spoke highly of the German Chancellor. “His harsh response to Russian aggression has also moved the rest of Europe.”
British Prime Minister Johnson and French President Macron said the conflict in Ukraine is at a decisive moment “with the potential to turn the tide”. In a bilateral meeting at the beginning of the summit, they agreed to increase support for Ukraine.
Tomorrow, five host countries will also join: India, Indonesia, South Africa, Senegal and Argentina, and there will be a video link with UN Secretary-General Guterres.
The leaders therefore discussed topics such as energy security, climate change and the food crisis in parts of the world.
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