Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of International Development to participate in G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting in London, United Kingdom
News release
April 23, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will take part in the first in-person meeting of G7 Foreign and Development Ministers in two years in London, UK, from May 3 to May 5, 2021. The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, will join discussions virtually.
The meeting is a crucial opportunity to make progress together on several pressing international challenges.
Ministers will look to align efforts notably on COVID-19, ensuring equitable access to vaccines, fighting climate change, enhancing food security and advancing girls’ education. They will also discuss coordinated responses to threats to human rights and democracy and regional security concerns in many countries, including China, Russia, Myanmar, Libya, Syria, North Korea and Iran.
With his colleagues, Minister Garneau will also underscore Canada’s determination to end the practice of arbitrary detention in state-to-state relations.
Ministers will also have the opportunity to engage with their counterparts from India, Australia, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, along with the Chair and Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), who have been invited as guests to join parts of this year’s G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ meeting.
As the host country, the United Kingdom will implement strict COVID-secure measures, including social distancing and daily testing to ensure the health and wellbeing of all staff and attendees. Minister Garneau and Canadian delegates will follow all applicable health and safety protocols and adhere to quarantine requirements upon their return to Canada.
Minister Garneau will also attend the 12th Ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council on May 19-20 in Reykjavik, Iceland. The meeting will be attended by the Foreign Ministers of the eight Arctic States as well as six circumpolar Arctic Indigenous organizations, including three Canadian organizations.
Quotes
“This meeting with key partners will allow us to strengthen our coordinated responses to challenges posed by COVID-19 and the global economic recovery, as well as to persistent threats to democracy and human rights. I look forward to working with my colleagues to present a common front on these pressing issues.”
- Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“This past year has shown us how interconnected the world is. Global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change require global collaboration and solutions. Canada has made important contributions to address these issues and is committed to working in cooperation with our G7 allies to tackle global challenges. Now more than ever is the time for true global cooperation.”
- Karina Gould, Minister of International Development
Quick facts
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The G7 is an informal group of like-minded partners that brings together Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.
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The G7 dates back to the mid-1970s, and the G7 presidency, which rotates annually between member countries, sets the agenda for the year in consultation with G7 partners. The United States held the presidency in 2020 and the United Kingdom holds the presidency in 2021. Canada last held the presidency in 2018.
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The G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting offers its members a unique forum where they can develop coordinated approaches through open and honest discussions on issues related to foreign affairs, international development, and international security.
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G7 foreign ministers last met virtually on March 25, 2020.
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Following the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting, G7 leaders will convene for a Leaders’ Summit in June in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, U.K.
Associated links
Contacts
Syrine Khoury
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Syrine.Khoury@international.gc.ca
Guillaume Dumas
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development
Guillaume.Dumas@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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