Cooperation Canada’s leadership of the Civil 7 (C7) has officially started. As Canada readies itself for the 2025 G7 Presidency, Cooperation Canada is now leading the C7, the official G7 engagement group focused on civil society. The baton was passed from the Italian C7 leadership to Cooperation Canada during a handover event on 27 November 2024. The event, attended by almost 200 participants from global civil society and other partners, took stock of the important work led by the Italians in 2024 and set the stage for Cooperation Canada’s C7 leadership.  

Cooperation Canada presented its vision for the 2025 C7. Priority areas of focus will be: climate, energy and the environment; economic justice; humanitarian action and peace; and sustainable development. Cross-cutting issues that will be examined across these areas of focus will be: civic space democracy; gender equality; and the impact of evolving technologies. Guided by principles of inclusivity, transparency and impact, Cooperation Canada will convene space for civil society engagement through working groups and will encourage and support participation from civil society representatives from Canada, other G7 countries, countries with leadership roles in the G20, and countries of the Global South, acknowledging that the actions of the G7 have implications across the world. Cooperation Canada will convene a C7 Summit in April 2025 in Ottawa, where the C7 Communiqué and its recommendations will be presented to the Government of Canada and diplomatic representatives from G7 and other governments.  

In the run-up to 2025, a high priority has been placed on forging solid lines of communication with the G7 team at Global Affairs Canada, with the aim of having C7 recommendations appear at the negotiating table. We wish to thank the Canadian G7 Sherpa, Cindy Termorshuizen, for her engagement to date – including at Cooperation Canada’s recent International Cooperation Futures forum, and the Canadian G7 Sous-Sherpa, Martin Lajoie, who delivered remarks on Canada’s plans for the G7 and links with civil society at the handover event. 

Kate Higgins, CEO of Cooperation Canada, thanked the 2024 C7 leadership, global civil society representatives, and the Canadian government for their engagement, and looked ahead to the global significance of 2025, noting the 50th anniversary of the G7, Beijing+30, 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, G20 in South Africa, and COP30 in Brazil – all taking place in a complex and evolving geopolitical context. She emphasized the importance of connecting the dots between these different processes and stated: “We will build on Italy’s excellent work to ensure that the 2025 G7 in Canada reaches outcomes that we as global civil society, and as a C7, believe are necessary for a fairer, safer and more sustainable world.” 

Cooperation Canada takes the helm of the C7 just as the Brazil-led G20 and C20 conclude and wishes to congratulate C20 colleagues for their tenacious work in influencing G20 decision-makers. Efforts are underway to strengthen linkages between the C7 and C20, which will be led by South Africa in 2025. On the 2024 G20, we reiterate the C20’s response, which welcomed the commitment made in the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders’ Declaration to place inequality at the centre of the G20 agenda. The Declaration also calls for stronger collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a timely emphasis as Canada leads both the G7 and ECOSOC in 2025. 

While calls were made for the G20 to commit to making changes to the international financial architecture to address increasing vulnerabilities, including for debt and taxation, the G20 did not put forward long-term measures which could contribute to such reforms. Going forward, the C7 will coordinate closely with the C20, including on issues related to economic and financial governance, to strengthen policy recommendations and advocacy efforts going forward. 

There will be opportunities for civil society – in Canada and around the world – to engage with the C7 in 2025. 

Visit civil7.org for updates! 

Cooperation Canada took part in the 2024 G7 Summit in Italy as a member of the Civil 7 (C7). This moment enabled Cooperation Canada and the entire sector to better prepare to assume leadership of the C7 in 2025, coinciding with Canada’s presidency of the G7. Paul Farran, Director of Policy and Advocacy, and the Policy Team at Cooperation Canada, share their thoughts on the outcome of the 2024 G7 Summit. 

On Canada’s leadership of G7 in 2025 

As Canada takes the helm of the G7 on its 50th anniversary, we must lead by example in addressing the world’s critical challenges. From the urgent fight against climate change and the need for sustainable investments in Africa to the relentless pursuit of gender equality, Canada’s presidency must embody progressive and ambitious leadership. This is Canada’s moment to set a bold agenda, demonstrating that we are not just part of the G7 but a guiding force for global progress and equity.  

Cooperation Canada will take the helm of the C7 in 2025. We anticipate continued and inclusive engagement on the G7 this year and next with the Government of Canada.  

Learn more about Cooperation Canada’s participation in the 2024 Civil 7 Summit in Italy. 

On Canada’s position as a global player in international cooperation 

With fires burning in all regions of the world, Canada must step up in its role as a global player for greater international cooperation. This year, G7 leaders have used the moment to claim that democracies can deliver, riding on the agreements reached on Ukraine and Africa. And most Canadians expect Canada to play an important role as a convener and leader in advancing global solidarity. Compared with its peers, Canada is at the bottom of the pack in terms of the development assistance it provides. A situation which needs to be addressed. Civil Society in Canada stands ready to continue and further its engagement with the Canadian Government in advancing policies which build on past initiatives and set a bold agenda going forward. 

The 50th G7 in Canada in 2025 is a powerful moment for Canada to drive significant investment and attention to create a more just, safer and sustainable world, by meeting its obligations on climate change globally, and by continuing to lead with a focus on women’s rights and empowerment. 

On the relevance of the G7 and open engagement 

Forty years ago, G7 represented 50% of the global economy. This is down to 30% today. As its global influence shifts, so to must the way it operates. The Italians have set a precedent by inviting a number of regional powers and other partners to the Summit. Canada has an opportunity to build on this approach and to further engage civil society in setting a vision compatible not only with economic growth but more importantly with social justice and global solidarity. 

On the Africa focus at the Italian G7 

Partnership with Africa is not charity, it is an obligation to redress decades of global economic injustice and persistent colonial and predatory practices. What is also clear is that Canada needs Africa more than Africa needs Canada. G7 countries and others around the world are forging deep relationships on the African continent, including the Italian Mattei Plan and the American-sponsored PIGG plan. Canada risks falling behind without a clear and mutually beneficial vision. Unfortunately, African voices were limited in engaging in these discussions which directly impacted their continent during the G7. Canadian civil society expects more deliberate engagement with African leaders and civil society in driving forward such a vision. 

Canada has also made some interesting announcements, including through its development finance institution – FinDev. In taking this forward, Canada has a clear interest in putting forward a coherent vision for its relations with the continent, without which it risks falling behind. This vision must cast attention to the global structures which are holding back sustainable development and which are needed to shift power to Africans in driving their development. Civil society also anticipates Canada to continue working towards its ambition of committing 50% of its development assistance to sub-Saharan Africa. 

On Israel and Palestine 

In the last 8 months, we have seen the Government of Canada demonstrate their ability to take effective positive action on several instances, including its vote in favour of a ceasefire on December 6th at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and the motion adopted on March 18th to stop arms transfers to Israel. Now again, as Parliament rises for the summer, is the time for Canada to take further decisive actions that match statements in support of international law. 

Civil society in Canada expects Canada to press all parties to accept and immediately implement the ceasefire resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on June 10, freeing all hostages and ensuring no new occupation or territorial modification of Gaza. It further expects the halt of all arms transfers to Israel as well as robust diplomatic measures to pressure Israel to abide by the International Court of Justice order to stop the obstruction of humanitarian assistance. 

Coming out of the G7 held last week, Canada and leaders of the G7 “deplored all losses of civilian lives equally and noted with great concern the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, especially women and children”. These words are meaningless unless concrete actions are taken to ensure the consistent respect of human life and international law by all parties. 

On artificial intelligence 

Institutions worldwide are struggling to keep pace with technological advancements. Most countries and organizations are reacting rather than proactively planning with regards to change being brought on by technological advancements and artificial intelligence (AI). 

Seeing AI’s potential to impact all aspects of human life, and possibly even more so for vulnerable and disempowered populations, it is critical for Governments, through multilateral institutions, to urgently agree to a cadre and systems which frame the development and use of AI. And in doing so, civil society in Canada and worldwide must have a seat at the table, a genuine and plural voice. 

The G7, with the power it holds economically, as well as in its control of technology, has a unique responsibility to work for immediate coordinated, multilateral, and multistakeholder engagement on framing AI development and use in a human centred manner. Civil society must be involved in decision-making processes to safeguard against misuse and to promote transparency and accountability in the implementation of these technologies. 

The digital divide has exacerbated global inequality. For instance, older adults are less connected than younger people, women have less access to the internet compared to men, and internet access is significantly lower in low-income countries. Within developed countries, significant disparities exist, such as only 24% of households in Indigenous communities in Canada having quality high-speed internet compared to 94% of the general population. Concrete measures are required to address these inequalities. 

On climate change 

There is an urgent need for G7 countries, which are amongst those who have historically been and continue to be the biggest polluters, to take serious action in terms of transitioning away from fossil fuels, as agreed in Dubai by the international community in 2023. This cannot wait till Canada takes the helm of the G7 in 2025. The C7 and Canadian civil society further urge G7 countries and other big polluters to set up climate finance mechanisms to support vulnerable populations who are bearing the brunt of unchecked development in higher-income countries. 

On sexual and reproductive rights and health

Women’s rights are under attack in too many countries right now. We need democratic actors, especially the G7, to stand for human rights, including sexual health and reproductive rights. Those basic rights must include safe and legal access to abortion. 

We are baffled that at this moment in time, the G7 does not stand up clearly and strongly to counter the anti-rights movement in ensuring that women maintain agency over their own bodies. 

Held at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters in Rome on May 14 and 15, the 2024 Civil 7 (C7) Summit was a space for representatives from civil society, government, and multilateral organizations to exchange ideas, concerns, and high-level solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges (agenda). The C7 is a Group of 7 (G7) engagement group with the aim of putting forward a set of coherent recommendations to influence G7 policies and the multilateral political processes. 

The recommendations were collected in a C7 Communiqué and authored via a set of working groups, consisting of civil society from G7 countries and the Global South. The contents of the C7 communiqué were crafted to resonate with G7 leaders and other high-level decision-makers. This document aims to raise accountability to commitments made by the G7 and to present global civil society’s relevant priorities. The specific working groups change every year depending on the agenda set by the host country, and the priorities of the civil society chair organization. In 2024, the working groups focused on: 

• Climate, energy transformation and environmental justice 
• Economic justice and transformation 
• Global health 
• Principled humanitarian assistance 
• Peace, common security and nuclear disarmament 
• Human mobility and migration 
• Food justice and food systems transformation 

This Communiqué was then presented to the personal representative of the Italian Prime Minister to the G7 – or Sherpa – at the C7 Summit. This momentous occasion was the culmination of months of work bringing together civil society to identify key issues and bring forth solutions to global challenges that are inclusive, just, and sustainable. Despite consensus being reached on most key issues, discussions around the responsibility for allocating the required resources to tackling these problems were not always fully conclusive.   

“We need to stop talking about ‘political will’ and start talking about ‘political responsibility’.” Anabella Rosenberg, C7 Climate Justice, Climate Action Network International. 

Darron Seller-Peritz, Policy Analyst and Program Officer at Cooperation Canada, provided the closing remarks, highlighting the importance of connecting globally across civil society. He also expressed Cooperation Canada’s enthusiasm to assume the C7 presidency in 2025 and, building on Italy’s work this year, to step into a leadership role for civil society around the world, including convening partners from the Global South in the context of the C7 in Canada.  

There are still some important milestones in the 2024 G7 process, including the Summit on June 13-15 and the ministerial meeting on development on October 24-25, and Cooperation Canada aims to keep its members well informed and involved for 2025. Whether that be on G7 and C7, political engagement and elections, or other thematic areas of importance, next year will be momentous for Canada and its global engagement.