A Year of Civil Society Leadership Through the 2025 C7

As Canada’s G7 presidency comes to a close, Cooperation Canada reflects on a year of collective advocacy and collaboration through its leadership of the 2025 Civil 7 (C7). This work unfolded amid overlapping global crises, including violent conflict, climate breakdown, widening inequalities and democratic backsliding, which continue to disproportionately affect communities in the Global South. In this context, the C7 once again demonstrated the essential role of civil society in advancing more just, inclusive and sustainable global policies.

Throughout the year, Cooperation Canada convened civil society organizations from across G7 countries and beyond, creating space for convergence, coherence and strategic influence. By bringing together diverse perspectives, from humanitarian and development actors to climate, gender, peace and civic space advocates, the C7 helped ensure that people-centred priorities were brought forward in G7 discussions at both ministerial and leaders’ levels.

At the core of this work was the 2025 C7 Communiqué, the process’s principal advocacy tool. Developed through months of consultation, it set out shared civil society recommendations across four themes: humanitarian action and peace; economic justice; climate, energy and the environment; and sustainable development. It also addressed cross-cutting priorities including civic space, gender equality and technology, reflecting the understanding that progress depends on tackling these issues together. Policy briefs, blogs and analysis from the broader C7 ecosystem further strengthened and expanded these recommendations.

Key moments of engagement included the C7 Summit on April 14 and 15, which brought together civil society, government, and the diplomatic community to launch the Communiqué and engage in dialogue on shared global challenges. Cooperation Canada’s participation in the G7 Summit media centre in June further amplified civil society messages, including through a coordinated G7 reaction statement, and ensured a visible presence as leaders’ level discussions unfolded.

As the G7 marked its 50th year, reflection grew around its legitimacy and accountability as a multilateral body operating through consensus among a limited group of countries. As emphasized in the C7 Communiqué, civil society engagement is crucial to challenge these limitations by asking whose voices are missing, whose interests are prioritized, and how decisions affect communities far beyond the G7 table. In a context of shrinking civic space, showing up, speaking up and staying engaged has impact.

None of this would have been possible without the commitment of the many organizations and individuals who contributed throughout the year. Cooperation Canada extends its sincere thanks to the C7 Steering Committee, working group coordinators and members, and all those who engaged in consultations, drafting, and advocacy.

The C7 is not only about influencing a single summit cycle. It is about strengthening continuity, solidarity, and coherence across presidencies and with other global forums. It builds relationships, reinforces shared narratives, and creates advocacy tools that can be carried forward as contexts evolve.

As the C7 baton passes to our French colleagues, Cooperation Canada does so with confidence and solidarity. The challenges ahead are significant, but the strength of this community endures. While C7 2025 is concluding, Cooperation Canada remains committed to supporting this work and standing alongside civil society partners as the process continues.