The G7 summit has concluded Borgo Egnazia (Read here for the story about the Resort that hosted the greats of the Earth), in Puglia, with the press conference of the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, which illustrated the results achieved and the main final statements.
“The final declaration is a broad and significant document with many commitments in the face of global challenges, concrete commitments that concern key issues for our future” explained the Premier. Among the central themes, support for Ukraine, the Olympic truce, the fight against climate change and the adoption of a global tax.
Strengthened support for Ukraine
The G7 reiterated a strong and clear commitment in support of Ukraine, stressing that it is Russia's responsibility to step back and end the aggression. The leaders expressed their support for the “Peace Formula” proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which will be discussed at the Conference in Switzerland. This plan, according to the G7, is the start point to imagine the end of the conflict, contrary to the proposal recently put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin, considered unacceptable, i.e. Kiev's renunciation of the regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson and non-membership of NATO.
On the subject, Meloni confirmed that "the G7 reiterates its united commitment to defend the international system of rules based on law, put at risk with the Russian war of aggression. We intend to continue supporting Ukraine and have chosen to strengthen our lines of action with a 360-degree commitment.”
The G7 agreed to provide Ukraine with weapons, humanitarian aid and a $50 billion loan What will be guaranteed by the profits of frozen Russian assets in Western, mainly European, banks.
Meanwhile, Zelensky left Borgo Egnazia with significant results. He has signed two ten-year security agreements with Japan and above all with the United States, seen by Kiev as a step towards integration into NATO.
Appeal for an Olympic truce
In the final declaration, the G7 leaders launched a appeal for the Olympic truce, proposed by France, in view of the Paris Games in 2024. “We call on all countries to observe it individually and collectively, as indicated in the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly adopted on 15 December 2023,” reads the document.
The future of Artificial Intelligence
A significant moment of the summit was the visit of Pope Francis who offered an important contribution on question of artificial intelligence. “Yesterday we experienced an extraordinary day with the presence of the Holy Father, I can never thank him enough” explained the Premier.
“Artificial intelligence is one of the most complex and impactful challenges: our goal is to ensure that this technology remains in any case controlled by man and maintain man as its goal, addressing the theme of "algorethics", the ethics of algorithms, on which the Holy Father has contributed" said Meloni, quoting the Pope who warned that AI could bring greater injustice if not ethically regulated.
“We must not treat this matter as if it were all white or all black: the tools are neutral, they are neither good nor bad in themselves. Artificial Intelligence brings with it opportunities and risks, it is a multiplier, what do we want to multiply?” explained the Premier.
Global Tax is now the responsibility of the States
During the press conference, Prime Minister Meloni also spoke about theimportance of the global tax, a fairer and more stable international tax system, ready to be signed on a technical level. He underlined Italy's commitment in this area, saying: "Italy's will is there and I hope it will be done as soon as possible."
“We have agreed on a strong political commitment in favor of a fairer and more stable international taxation system, the famous global minimum tax, a topic I particularly care about. Yesterday we listened to the OECD secretary explain to us that it is ready to be signed on a technical level. The G7 and the OECD worked in parallel." “Now it's up to the states“, explained Meloni, “Italy's will is there and I hope it will be done as soon as possible”.
On the front of the fight against climate changei, the prime minister instead highlighted the need for a pragmatic approach, avoiding preconceived ideological positions: “The fight against climate change must be carried out without adopting preconceived ideological positions.”
Renewed commitment to Africa
The summit also saw a renewed commitment to Africa, with the approval of two new funds to finance the Mattei Plan, intended for the development of the continent. Meloni underlined how Italy has tried from the beginning to create a point of reference regarding the line to follow towards Africa, in the G7 "it is the Italian approach was shared".
On the fight against human trafficking “we have brought an all-Italian model that comes from two great Italians like Falcone and Borsellino and which tells us to follow the money: follow the money” said Prime Minister Meloni, stating that this approach “can make a difference”.
