Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations will gather in the French lakeside town of Évian-les-Bains from June 15 to 17, 2026, for the 52nd G7 Summit, hosted by the French presidency under President Emmanuel Macron.

This marks the second time Évian has hosted a G7/G8 summit, following the 2003 G8 meeting, making it the first French town to do so twice. The summit comes at a critical moment, with the global economy facing geopolitical uncertainty, trade tensions, and widening imbalances.

The European Union will be represented by European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In addition to the core G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States — the French presidency has invited leaders from several non-G7 countries, including Brazil, India, Kenya, South Korea, Egypt, and others, to participate in select working sessions.

During several working sessions, leaders are expected to discuss a range of pressing global challenges, with a focus on geopolitical developments and international cooperation. Key topics on the agenda include efforts to promote peace and security in Ukraine and across Europe, the evolving situation in the Middle East, and ways to strengthen international partnerships and solidarity in an increasingly fragmented world.

The leaders will also examine strategies to foster more balanced and inclusive economic growth while addressing global inequalities. In addition, discussions will explore the future of artificial intelligence, including its opportunities, risks, and the need for effective governance to ensure that emerging technologies contribute positively to sustainable development and global stability.

French President Macron recently chaired a preparatory video conference on June 11 with G7 counterparts and representatives from China, India, Brazil, South Korea, and Kenya to discuss macroeconomic imbalances and global economic governance. Ahead of the summit, Macron has also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders from several Middle Eastern countries to help rebuild consensus on Ukraine support and address ongoing conflicts in the region.

Focus on MultilateralismAt a time of heightened global challenges, leaders aim to demonstrate that multilateral cooperation remains essential for tackling international issues and fostering a stable, predictable economic environment. The summit will complement broader economic coordination efforts within the G20.Leaders are expected to issue multiple statements during the three-day gathering. Security measures are already in place, with heightened attention on the nearby Swiss border and potential protests, including a recent march in Geneva that drew thousands of demonstrators.

Background on the G7The G7 serves as a key forum for shaping global responses to major challenges. Since 2014, meetings have been held in the G7 format (excluding Russia) following its actions in Ukraine. The EU participates fully in all discussions and working sessions.Recent presidencies rotated as follows: United States (2020), United Kingdom (2021), Germany (2022), Japan (2023), Italy (2024), and Canada (2025). France holds the presidency in 2026, with the United States scheduled to take over in 2027.

The last summit was held in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, in June 2025. Expectations are high for concrete outcomes from Évian on economic stability, security, and emerging technologies like AI. Further details and outcomes will be released as the summit unfolds this week. (ILKHA)