What's coming up at the G7 summit in Japan
TOKYO — Leaders of the world's seven major industrial democracies meet for two days in Ise-Shima, Japan, beginning Thursday. While they have no plans to issue important new initiatives or commitments, leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States will discuss a range of political, economic and environmental issues.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights of the Group of Seven agenda, as outlined in a recent background briefings by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
GLOBAL ECONOMY
Promote sustainable growth, make “qualitative infrastructure investment,” advance the role of women, promote the rule of law in cyberspace, encourage a digital world based on the free flow of information and prevent corruption.
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HUMAN RIGHTS
Discuss fundamental values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
TRADE
Issue a strong message on the importance of free trade, the need to fight protectionism and the advancement of large-scale free-trade agreements.
FOREIGN POLICY
Address terrorism, violent extremism and refugees, and exchange views on conflicts in the Middle East, including Syria's 5-year-old civil war.
MARITIME SECURITY
Reaffirm the importance of the “rule of law” and peaceful resolution of disputes, oppose China's unilateral sovereignty claims and island-reclamation projects in the South China Sea — without naming China explicitly.
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NORTH KOREA
Confirm close collaboration on a comprehensive solution to issues of concern, including North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile development programs and abduction of Japanese citizens.
RUSSIA AND UKRAINE
Confirm G7 solidarity in condemning Russia's actions in the Ukraine, including the seizure of Crimea and support for separatists in the east.
CLIMATE AND ENERGY
Discuss ways to lead the global community in addressing climate change, building on last December's Paris agreement to curb greenhouse gases and take a lead in addressing oil price declines and rapidly changing energy issues.