## Overview The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal forum of the world’s leading industrialized democracies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States[1][3][6]. The European Union also participates in the group, represented by the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, though it does not hold the rotating presidency[1][2]. The G7 is not a formal institution with a charter or permanent secretariat, but rather a high-level platform for coordinating economic policy and addressing pressing global issues[2][6]. ## History The G7 was established in 1975 in response to the 1973 oil crisis, initially as the Group of Six (G6) to tackle inflation, recession, and energy security[1][2][4]. Canada joined in 1976, and the European Economic Community (now the EU) was added as a participant in 1977, though not as a full member[1][2]. The group expanded to the G8 with Russia’s inclusion in 1997, but Russia’s membership was suspended indefinitely in 2014 after its annexation of Crimea, reverting the group to the G7[1][3]. ## Key Achievements Over the decades, the G7 has evolved from focusing on macroeconomic coordination to addressing a broader range of global challenges. It has launched major initiatives such as debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries, contributed to the containment of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and established the Financial Stability Forum to manage international monetary systems[4]. The group has also played a pivotal role in shaping global responses to climate change, terrorism, human rights, and emerging technologies[5]. The creation of the G20 in 1999, which includes both G7 members and major emerging economies, was partly a G7 initiative to broaden global economic governance[4]. ## Current Status and Notable Aspects The G7 continue