What is the G7 and which countries are members?
THE leaders from some of the biggest world economies meet every year at summits to discuss current world issues under the name of Group of Seven - also known as the G7.
The informal group sees some of the wealthiest democracies in the world come together for the G7 summit, with the location of each annual meeting rotating year to year.
What is the G7?
The G7, also known as the Group of Seven, was founded in the early 1970s as the partaking countries discussed concerns about the collapse of the oil industry.
Since then, over 40 summits have been held across the globe as members discuss everything from the environment to the economy.
The group was previously known as the G8 and counted Russia among its members, but Russia has been excluded since annexing the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in early 2014.
The G7 countries are seven of the largest economies of the world and, together, they represent more than 62 per cent of the global net wealth ($280trillion).
Which countries are members of the G7?
The seven members of the G7 are:
The European Union is also a member of the G7 and has, unofficially, been dubbed its "8th member."
How often are G7 summits held?
G7 summits are an annual event, though G7 leaders and ministers have been known to call additional meetings as needed to address emergent global crises or other international challenges.
The yearly meetings are hosted on a rotation basis by the group's members.
Hiroshima, Japan, is the location for the 2023 summit, the 49th in history.
The 48th G7 summit was held in Schloss Elmau, Krün, Bavarian Alps, Germany, in June 2022.
What does the G7 do?
The role of the G7 and the leaders involved is to tackle the most challenging global issues of the time, including economic issues, the climate crisis, and health emergencies.
The G7 claims to have "strengthened security policy, mainstreamed climate change and supported disarmament programmes," since its inception in the 1970s.
What criticisms have been made of the G7?
G7 gatherings have attracted protesters in the past and, in 2019, water cannons and tear-gas was used to disperse protesters.
Many objectors claim the G7 - which has no representative from any African, Russian or Middle Eastern nation - is outdated.
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