01 January 2022: Germany assumed the G7 Presidency – a responsible task in challenging times. 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 USA. The European Union is also represented at all G7 meetings.
24 February 2022: Russia attacked Ukraine. The G7 leaders met for a video conference. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the attack as a “blatant breach of international law” and spoke of a dark day for Europe. He assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of Germany’s full solidarity with Ukraine and its people.
From this point onwards, the war in Ukraine was a defining factor of Germany’s G7 Presidency. The G7 still remained committed to their other tasks, however: as leading industrialised countries and partners who share key values, the G7 members have a particular responsibility to promote the welfare of the global community. Germany sought to strengthen this responsibility. “Progress towards an equitable world”– this goal was to guide the work of the G7.
24 March 2022: The G7 met in Brussels under the German Presidency to talk about the war in Ukraine again. “Our discussions have shown that we are more united than ever in this challenging situation, and we are also prepared to take joint and decisive action.” He also referred to the rigorous, closely coordinated and targeted sanctions imposed on Russia.
26 to 28 June 2022: Federal Chancellor Scholz received the G7 leaders for the summit at Schloss Elmau. He first met US President Joe Biden for bilateral talks. The two leaders were unanimous in their assessment: “Germany and the USA will always act together when it comes to questions of Ukraine’s security,” said the Federal Chancellor.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the G7 consultations via video link. One of the key issues discussed at Elmau was ongoing support for Ukraine. “As we have reaffirmed, all of us will continue to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia,” emphasised Federal Chancellor Scholz, adding that the war marked a “radical turning point in international relations”.
The meeting in the Bavarian Alps provided opportunities for wide-ranging discussions. Here, Federal Chancellor Scholz can be seen consulting with then Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, French President Emmanuel Macron and the UK Prime Minister at the time, Boris Johnson. The Federal Chancellor emphasised that the G7 states worked together as close friends and allies.
At the summit, G7 leaders also met with partner countries and international organisations. After all, a strong, rules-based international order cannot be achieved without solidarity and cooperation among the world’s democracies – both within the G7 and beyond.
The deliberations in Elmau also addressed issues relating to the world economy, global infrastructure, the fight against world hunger and climate protection.
26 to 28 June 2022: The deliberations in Elmau also addressed issues relating to the world economy, global infrastructure, the fight against world hunger and climate protection. “The meeting was an impressive demonstration of our unity and our determination,” said Federal Chancellor Scholz.
The summit meeting of the heads of state and government is considered the highlight of every G7 Presidency. The G7 process involves much more than this, however: in fact it is a year-round operation in which the G7 ministers have a key role to play. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met her counterparts in Münster, Westphalia.
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser also met with her G7 colleagues. They gathered in Eltville, Hesse, to discuss hybrid threats and misinformation, also in connection with the war in Ukraine. “We will counter these lies with facts,” said Faeser.
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner hosted meetings of the G7 Finance Ministers in Bonn and Königswinter. They talked about how to secure economic stability as well as discussing debt management in developing countries and the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. They also promised further billions in aid to Ukraine. “The outcome of the war must not be decided by concerns about funding the state,” said Lindner.
An integral part of every G7 Presidency is to engage in dialogue with a range of different interest groups – the Engagement Groups. There are currently seven groups which once again took a stand on G7 agenda issues this year, providing their own impetus to the discussions: Business Community (Business7), Non-Governmental Organisations (Civil7), Trade Unions (Labour7), Science (Science7), Think-Tanks (Think7), Women (Women7), Youth (Youth7).
25 October 2022: The reconstruction of Ukraine was discussed at an international expert conference in Berlin hosted by the German G7 Presidency and the EU Commission. “Ukraine cannot manage this alone. The European Union cannot manage it alone either. It can only be achieved by the entire global community, which is now lending its support to Ukraine,” stressed Federal Chancellor Scholz.
At the reconstruction conference, Federal Chancellor Scholz and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged long-term assistance to Ukraine: “One should be careful about making historical comparisons, but this amounts to no less than the creation of a new Marshall Plan for the 21st century. It is a task that will take generations and must begin now.”
12 December 2022: The G7 leaders reiterated their solidarity with Ukraine in a video link-up, as well as officially launching the Climate Club agreed on at Elmau. This was the sixth and last meeting before Germany hands over the G7 Presidency to Japan. “This figure alone demonstrates how closely we have coordinated our efforts this year with partners who share our values,” said the Federal Chancellor.