G7 summit to focus on Ukraine, Middle East, Africa and AI

The G7 Leaders' Summit in Italy will focus on the Russia-Ukraine War, developments in the Middle East, Africa and the Indo-Pacific, migration, climate change, energy, Artificial intelligence, and global economic security.

The summit, to be attended by the US, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Canada, and Japan, along with EU representatives, will convene on Thursday in the southeastern Italian resort of Borgo Egnazia.

Italy previously hosted G7 leaders twice in Venice (1980, 1987), and once each in Naples (1994), Genoa (2001), L'Aquila (2009), and Taormina (2017), and for this edition of the summit, the country has chosen the olive tree-lined and authentically coastal Puglia region in the heel of the Italian Peninsula.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will welcome the guests of the summit, which comes amid multiple crises worldwide, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and Israel's relentless attacks on Gaza.

- Leaders to discuss global agenda issues

According to information obtained by Anadolu from Prime Ministry sources, leaders will discuss global agenda issues in sessions covering themes such as Africa-Climate-Development, the Middle East, Ukraine, Migration, Indo-Pacific, economic security, artificial intelligence, and energy.

At the summit, support focusing on the reconstruction of Ukraine will be emphasized.

Discussions will also focus on securing an urgent cease-fire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and increased humanitarian aid to civilians.

Under the heading "Indo-Pacific," leaders will also discuss relations with China in the context of the diversification of the supply of resources.

They will also explore new methods for African development, including Italy's "Mattei Plan," focusing on equal and mutually beneficial partnerships.

On the first day of the summit, G7 leaders will discuss Africa, climate change, development, the Middle East, and Ukraine. On the second day, they will address migration and developments in the Indo-Pacific.

- High-Level attendance at Summit

US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and many others are expected to participate in the meeting.

Several leaders, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Catholic spiritual leader Pope Francis, invited by Italy will also attend the summit.

Erdogan is expected to attend sessions on Africa, the Mediterranean, AI and energy on the second day of the summit, and will also hold bilateral meetings on the margins of the summit.

Pope Francis is expected to address the session on AI.

- Tight security measures

Security measures are already in place at Borgo Egnazia for the G7 summit, with Italy increasing controls at all border crossings and intensifying security along its borders on June 5-18.

Borgo Egnazia has been declared a "high-security zone" by Italian authorities, with a security cordon in place to prevent unauthorized access except for official and authorized delegations.

As a result, the international press center for journalists covering the summit has been established in the city of Bari, approximately 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) away. Around 1,300 journalists are expected to cover the summit.

Unsuitable conditions of a cruise ship, which will accommodate approximately 2,600 security officers on duty in Brindisi, the arrival city of the G7 leaders, have become the subject of criticism in the Italian press.

The uncleanliness of the beds and toilets on the ship, as well as the lack of clean water from the taps, have prompted reactions from security units.

During the summit on June 13-15, anti-G7 protest demonstrations are also expected to take place in different cities of the Puglia Region, such as Brindisi and Bari.