By Juanita Nonwo – EM TV Online
The 42nd G7 summit held in Japan provides the platform for seven of the most industrialised nations in the world, to address some of the most pressing issues that affect the world today.
Agendas of the 42nd G7 Summit:
- Global Economy and Trade
With the alarming drop in global oil prices, and other factors that are slowing down emerging markets, the summit aims to provide ideas to contain these challenges that threaten the world economy.
- Foreign Policy
G7, a group of nations that share the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights, will discuss current issues of concern such as
- counter-terrorism
- conflicts in the Middle East
- the Ukrainian crisis
- North Korea’s nuclear program and
- The territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
- Climate Change & Energy
Following last year’s climate change conference in Paris where world leaders agreed on lowering the percentage of carbon dioxide in a move to contain global warming and reducing the average global temperatures, Japan also pledged its commitment to increase its assistance to developing countries to 1.3 trillion yen in 2020.
The G7 leaders will discuss how to lead the international community in addressing climate change following up from the Paris Climate change conference (COP21).
Given significant changes to the international energy landscape, including low oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty, ensuring energy security remains a pressing issue for the international community. The G7 is expected to play a leading role in the area of energy policy.
- Development
The G7 leaders will take on a pro-active role in carrying forward the 2030 Agenda – the extending global goals that carry on from the eight Millennium Development Goals to achieve better living standards for developing countries.
- Quality Infrastructure Investment
The leaders will discuss possible contributions and communicate the importance of quality infrastructure investment that can contribute to sustainable development.
- Health
At the summit, the leaders will consider issues including strengthening the response to public health emergencies, by taking into account the lessons learned from previous outbreaks, such as Ebola. The summit will also discuss ways to improve and strengthen lifelong health care services, from maternal, newborn and child health, through to non-communicable diseases and aging, in the pursuit of universal health coverage (UHC).
- Women
The G7 leaders will deliberate on the promotion of women empowerment in various sectors of education, science and technology and other wider range of areas.
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