G7 Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Global Economic Cooperation as Trade, Energy and AI Risks Mount

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) renewed their commitment to multilateral cooperation and coordinated economic policymaking on Wednesday, pledging to strengthen global growth, resilience, and shared prosperity amid rising geopolitical tensions, persistent economic imbalances, and mounting uncertainty surrounding trade, energy security, and emerging technologies.

In a comprehensive joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the three-day G7 summit in Evian, France, the leaders outlined a broad agenda aimed at safeguarding global economic stability while addressing structural challenges that continue to weigh on growth prospects worldwide.

The statement was endorsed not only by G7 members but also by partner countries Egypt, Kenya, and South Korea, underscoring efforts to broaden cooperation with emerging and developing economies on critical economic issues.

The leaders warned that the global economy remains vulnerable to the lingering effects of previous shocks and ongoing structural transformations affecting international trade and investment flows. They highlighted growing uncertainty surrounding global growth and expressed concern over increasing pressures on energy supply chains, agricultural inputs, and fertilizer markets.

In a notable reference to escalating regional tensions, the G7 stressed that the rapid restoration of safe and unrestricted transit through the Strait of Hormuz, alongside a swift resolution of ongoing conflicts affecting the region, is essential to mitigating economic disruptions and supporting balanced global growth.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring affordable energy supplies and maintaining stable, transparent, and well-functioning energy markets. Leaders also urged countries to avoid arbitrary export restrictions, particularly on energy products, warning that such measures could exacerbate supply shortages and market volatility.

The declaration further emphasized the need for diversified and reliable supply chains, stronger energy systems, and enhanced crisis-management mechanisms, including strategic petroleum reserves aligned with international standards.

A central theme of the summit was the growing concern among advanced economies over widening global economic imbalances.

G7 leaders warned that persistent current-account surpluses and deficits, coupled with what they described as non-market policies and practices, continue to distort global trade and investment patterns. They argued that these imbalances risk fueling trade tensions, creating excess industrial capacity, and increasing economic dependencies that could undermine long-term stability.

The group called for coordinated policy responses to address structural distortions, urging surplus economies to stimulate domestic demand, expand investment, and remove barriers to productivity growth. At the same time, deficit countries were encouraged to strengthen domestic savings and improve fiscal sustainability.

Officials also called for enhanced surveillance by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and greater international cooperation to monitor and address emerging vulnerabilities in the global economy.

Reflecting the rapid rise of artificial intelligence as a strategic economic and financial issue, G7 leaders instructed finance ministers, central bank governors, regulators, international financial institutions, and technology companies to deepen discussions on both the opportunities and risks associated with advanced AI systems.

The leaders highlighted potential implications for financial stability, productivity growth, labor markets, and economic competitiveness, while also emphasizing the need for stronger cybersecurity cooperation as AI technologies become increasingly integrated into critical infrastructure and financial systems.

In addition, the G7 pledged continued efforts to prepare financial systems for the opportunities and risks associated with quantum technologies and committed to securing supply chains linked to the emerging quantum economy.

The declaration emphasized the importance of engaging emerging and developing economies in efforts to address shared challenges, including supply-chain resilience, economic security, and sustainable growth.

Leaders welcomed recent initiatives aimed at fostering policy convergence among major economies and pledged to continue advancing discussions within the G20 and other international forums.

The summit concluded with a renewed commitment to coordinated action designed to support sustainable growth, preserve financial stability, and enhance economic resilience in an increasingly fragmented global environment.