Brindisi, 13/06/2024
Ladies and Gentlemen, Heads of State and Government,
Distinguished Participants,
It is my pleasure to welcome you.
Compared to the G7 summit that Italy hosted seven years ago in Taormina, the international context has undergone profound transformations.
In this critical moment, we observe the accelerating transformation driven by globalisation take an abrupt reversal, marked by a stark shift away from our shared principles and goals.
Ancient ghosts have re-emerged. The language of cooperation and the construction of international rules respecting peoples are being put to the test, leaving room for growing geopolitical tensions that unfortunately often culminate in conflicts.
The ambition of new actors to play a more prominent role challenges the ability of the international community, including the G7, to foster positive processes that promote peace and development.
For some, it is a matter of proceeding with the creation of new international arrangements, often in a hasty manner, under the assumption that they will be more advantageous than those achieved in the decades following World War II. However, this often inadvertently opens up spaces for neo-colonialism or neo-imperialism.
It is essential, therefore, to question the role of the G7 in this context, and I would like to propose three considerations.
The first response lies in the observation that the G7 is a group of countries united not only by a high level of development and income, but also and above all, by shared values.
Values that have significantly promoted the dignity of individuals and peoples. Values that are grounded in the UN Charter and Declarations.
These values, objectives, and rules must be preserved and strengthened in this evolving international landscape.
The Summit has undergone a transformation, evolving from a forum focused on economic coordination to a platform for substantive dialogue on the complex and pressing issues of our time.
This dialogue is made possible precisely because it is grounded in the shared values that unite us.
The Nations gathered at this table recognise the principles of the rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights, and international cooperation.
Such considerations are not to be taken for granted, given the alarming surge of authoritarian tendencies worldwide, and its severe consequences: the erosion of inviolable individual rights and freedoms internally, and aggressive actions in international relations.
The second element that characterises the G7 is its commitment to a system of rules, which is manifest in the UN Charter.
The preservation of this system of rules, which includes the fundamental principle of prohibiting threats and the use of force in interstate relations, is a concern that is being increasingly threatened today.
There is a conviction that it is possible to supplant the international community – its rules, and the principle of equal dignity among nations – with violence and oppression.
This conviction is underscored by these two recent dates.
On February 24, 2022, Russia assumed the historical responsibility of bringing war back to Europe in a perilous attempt at neo-imperial resurgence that contradicts all the progress made on the continent since the Helsinki Conference of 1975.
A turning point that cannot be ignored or underestimated, as the history of the 20th century teaches us.
By upholding Ukraine’s independence, we safeguard the general principles of coexistence among nations, which have underpinned the freedom, security, and prosperity of our peoples since the post-war era, as well as the development and growing role of those who, against their will, have been observers of history.
October 7, 2023 is another date that has dramatically marked our present.
The barbarous assault by Hamas, which has claimed the lives of innocent Israeli civilians and perpetrated the inhumane abduction of hostages, has reopened a deep-seated wound that continues to be fuelled by the macabre count of thousands of civilian Palestinian victims, women and children, who have lost their lives in over eight months of conflict.
The ongoing negotiations to achieve a ceasefire must represent a step towards a concrete political path leading to a durable and lasting peace, which can only be founded on a two-state solution.
It is imperative that all parties involved demonstrate the will to pursue this goal, lest the dialogue be abandoned mid-course, as has happened too many times, with the inevitable resumption of conflict, accompanied by escalating violence and mounting casualties.
The third dimension of the G7 that I would like to highlight is its open platform.
Starting from the 2007 summit in Germany, the so-called “Heiligendamm process” was introduced. This opened the G7 to the rest of the world and involved five other countries – representing all continents- in a dialogue on global themes such as economic development, innovation, and climate change. These themes were further expanded at the 2009 summit in L’Aquila to include food security and energy.
The G7 format has demonstrated its ability to adapt to evolving international circumstances, as evidenced by this edition, recognising that global challenges cannot be effectively addressed within a narrow circle.
New themes, including sustainable development in Africa, migration flows, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, now hold a prominent place at the Borgo Egnazia summit, fostering collaboration with other critical stakeholders in the global landscape
The major free economies of the G7 continue to exert significant influence and attraction, yet in a multipolar world, they face challenges from attempts to establish alternative or competing systems.
The ability to build partnerships with those parts of the world that, despite inherent differences, are receptive to dialogue on our shared options represents the natural horizon we must work towards.
The guidance from the Heads of State and Government assembled here will be instrumental in this endeavour.
The G7 nations bear a heightened responsibility in addressing the challenges of our time; recognising, however, that we cannot tackle these issues alone.
I extend my best wishes to all of you and raise a toast to your personal well-being and that of the peoples you represent.
