## Overview and Purpose The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal forum of the world’s major advanced economies—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union[6]. Founded in 1975 in response to global economic crises, the G7 serves as a platform for coordination on macroeconomic policy, international security, and pressing global issues such as technological innovation, climate change, and artificial intelligence (AI)[3][4]. Its relatively small, homogenous membership is designed to facilitate swift, collective decision-making, though critics argue it lacks enforcement mechanisms and excludes emerging powers[3]. ## History and Key Achievements The G7’s origins lie in the economic turbulence of the 1970s, including the Nixon shock and the oil crisis[4]. Over time, its agenda expanded beyond economics to include international security, human rights, and development. Notable achievements include launching the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt-relief initiative, funding the Chernobyl Shelter Structure, and establishing the Financial Stability Forum to manage global monetary systems[4]. In 1999, the G7 helped create the G20 to better engage with emerging economies, reflecting shifts in global economic power[4]. ## Current Status and Focus Despite its diminished share of global GDP—falling from about 63% in 1992 to 29% in 2024—the G7 remains influential in shaping norms and coordinating responses to transnational challenges[7]. Recent summits have addressed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, coordinated sanctions, and launched infrastructure initiatives to counter China’s Belt and Road[3]. The 2025 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, marked the group’s 50th anniversary and focused on economic resilience, energy security, critical minerals, and the digital transition, including AI and quantum technologies[5][7]. For the first time, leaders issued targeted statements on specific