The Group of Seven (G7) leaders are convening for a pivotal three-day summit in the picturesque southern region of Puglia (Apulia). The event kicks off on Thursday at Borgo Egnazia, a luxurious resort renowned for its medieval village ambiance and beloved by celebrities like popstar Madonna.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the summit host, will welcome heads of state from the seven member nations – the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom – along with leaders of the European Council and the European Commission.
In an effort to broaden the summit’s inclusivity and shake off its reputation as an exclusive club of the wealthy West, Italy has invited leaders from over 10 other countries for sideline discussions. Notable attendees include UAE’s Mohamed bin Zayed, Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. However, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, despite being invited, are notable absentees, according to a list seen by Al Jazeera.
The timing of the summit is particularly advantageous for Meloni, who recently celebrated her far-right party’s victory in the European Parliament elections, signaling a rightward shift across the continent
