Secretary of State Sarai concludes successful G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting in France

May 1, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), concluded an official visit to Paris, France, from April 28 to 30, 2026, during which he represented Canada at the G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting.

Under France’s G7 presidency, this year’s meeting focused on advancing a renewed approach to development grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships. Discussions covered key priorities, including building consensus on a new development model, addressing the impacts of the Middle East crisis on vulnerable countries, closing the global infrastructure investment gap and strengthening the international financial architecture to better support partner countries.

During his visit, Secretary of State Sarai announced $51.5 million in new international assistance programming to mobilize private capital and blended finance solutions, strengthen global impact investing and increase infrastructure development.

While in Paris, Secretary of State Sarai participated in a reception marking the second meeting of the G7 Infrastructure Investment Council, alongside representatives from G7 development finance institutions, international financial institutions and the private sector. He emphasized that closing the global infrastructure gap is not only a financing challenge but a development, economic and security priority. He highlighted the importance of coordinated public and private investment to mobilize private capital at scale—an approach Canada is advancing through FinDev Canada’s work to support high‑impact, sustainable infrastructure investments in emerging markets.

Throughout the meeting, Secretary of State Sarai also highlighted Canada’s efforts to deliver tangible results by strengthening communities and contributing to global stability, prosperity and security. He underscored Canada’s commitment to partnering with developing countries to support them in advancing their priorities and independence, while growing economic opportunities that benefit everyone. This was reinforced by Canada’s recent announcement of a goal to deliver over $13 billion in international climate finance to developing countries over the next five years, including through FinDev Canada, Global Affairs Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

On the margins of the G7 meeting, Secretary of State Sarai held bilateral discussions with several counterparts to advance Canada’s development priorities. These conversations focused on opportunities for deeper cooperation and collaboration on development and humanitarian responses.

To conclude the meeting, Secretary of State Sarai and his G7 counterparts endorsed a communiqué outlining their commitment to placing shared prosperity, collective stability and security, the well-being of communities and sustainable growth at the core of international cooperation.