Prime Minister concludes productive G7 Leaders’ Summit in France
August 26, 2019
Biarritz, France
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today concluded his participation at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Biarritz, France.
In discussions on the global economy with G7 leaders, Prime Minister Trudeau stressed the need for leaders to work together to build economies that work for everyone and strengthen the middle class. He underscored the importance of the rules-based international order in supporting growth and opportunities for people around the world to share in a better future.
The G7 leaders also agreed to Prime Minister Trudeau's initiative to task their Finance Ministers to report back to their leaders on the state of the global economy, so countries can take concerted action to address signs of risk and ensure stable, sustained growth for people.
G7 leaders agreed to work in partnership with African leaders to support transformation, growth, shared prosperity in Africa. The Prime Minister announced several initiatives, including funding in support of the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa initiative to help women entrepreneurs succeed by providing them with access to financing to start their own businesses.
During the Summit, leaders discussed the importance of advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. Canada joined the Biarritz Partnership on Gender Equality which highlighted the progress being made by Canada on policy and legislative measures needed to further address inequalities in Canada and abroad. Leaders agreed to concrete actions in response to the recommendations of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council, which was launched for the first time by Canada in 2018, and continued by France in 2019.
Prime Minister Trudeau also announced $179.2 million in investments to support quality education for women and girls living in crisis, conflict-affected and fragile states. This funding completes Canada’s commitment as part of the $3.8 billion mobilized at the G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec in 2018 – the largest in history.
A key theme of the Summit was the importance of addressing climate change, biodiversity and oceans. The Prime Minister stressed the urgent need for collective action to tackle the climate crisis and protect our shared environment. He announced an important set of projects to support global climate action including continued strong support for the Green Climate Fund. He also underscored Canada’s leadership to safeguard our world’s oceans, coasts, and coastal communities, and called on others to come together to protect these shared resources. Canada welcomed France’s work to encourage coalitions on environmental issues.
During the Summit, leaders discussed the opportunities that artificial intelligence offers our economies and societies. The Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the responsible development of human-centric approaches to artificial intelligence, The Prime Minister advanced a new Global Partnership on AI, an initiative created by Canada and France, and developed in partnership with other countries and the OECD.
The Prime Minister announced $15 million to help fight the fires in the Amazon.
In addition to the discussion regarding the wildfires in the Amazon, the Prime Minister and his G7 counterparts also discussed efforts to address key regional and global challenges, including Russia and ongoing reform efforts in Ukraine, as well as the crisis in Venezuela. The Prime Minister thanked the Leaders for their support in advocating for the release of the detained Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig in China.
Quote
“Now more than ever, G7 leaders need to work together to tackle urgent global challenges – from fighting the climate crisis, to making sure people around the world can share in a prosperous future. Thanks to France’s leadership, this year’s G7 Summit was a chance to combat inequality, build economies that work for everyone, and help make sure our citizens can feel confident in the future. Together, we can face today’s most pressing challenges, and grow a strong middle class around the world.”
The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- The Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the following leaders: the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and met with representatives of the Gender Equality Advisory Committee.
- The G7 is an informal grouping of seven of the world’s advanced economies consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union was first invited to attend the G7 in 1977.
- This is the fourth time Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has attended a G7 Summit. The Leaders of the G7 have come together each year since the 1970s to discuss issues of domestic and global concern.
- Canada held the presidency of the G7 last year. The United States will hold it in 2020.
Related Product
Associated Links
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa
August 26, 2019
Biarritz, France
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met today with the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, on the margins of the G7 Summit in Biarritz, France. The leaders spoke of the significance of the 25th anniversary of South African democracy and Canadian support to end apartheid.
The Prime Minister congratulated President Ramaphosa on his recent electoral win and on becoming the next Chair of the African Union (AU). The two leaders discussed the importance of strengthening G7 cooperation with the AU to address issues of common concern, including gender equality, peace and security and tackling climate change.
The two leaders noted the contribution by Canada in support of the next replenishment of the Global Fund and the importance of investing in girls education as means of ensuring the health and economic development of Africans.
They affirmed the strong and growing relations between Canada and South Africa and the common interest in promoting growth and prosperity that benefits everyone through the promotion of bilateral trade and the recent entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met today with Donald Tusk, President of the European Council
August 26, 2019
Biarritz, France
Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, met with Donald Tusk, President of the European Council.
Recalling the successful Canada-EU Summit held in Montreal in July, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Tusk welcomed the continued close collaboration between Canada and the European Union.
The Prime Minister and the President recognized the positive impact the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is already having for Canadian and European citizens and companies, and that an effective rules-based trading system has significant benefits for global economic prosperity.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Tusk also discussed the important work of the G7 to address pressing global issues such as climate change, inequality, and international peace and security.
Governor General of Canada to visit the Netherlands and Poland
August 26, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, will travel to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the republic of Poland, from August 30 to September 2, 2019.
During her visit, the Governor General will meet with His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands, and President Andrzej Duda of Poland. She will highlight the strong relationship Canada shares with both the Netherlands and Poland – ties that were strengthened during the Second World War. She will also underscore the importance of continued collaboration to defend the rules-based international order.
In the Netherlands, the Governor General will attend an event in Terneuzen to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Scheldt. This battle was a major step in the liberation of the Netherlands and the end of the Second World War in Europe, in which Canada played a key role. Later, she will present the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers to Dutch recipients who have worked to preserve the memory of Canadian soldiers who served in the Second World War. She will also present a Meritorious Service Decoration to a Dutch captain who served alongside the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Governor General will then travel to Poland, where she will attend an official ceremony in Warsaw marking 80 years since the beginning of the Second World War in the country. She will also present a Meritorious Service Decoration to a serving member of the Polish army. During her visit, she will tour the AstroCeNT Particle Astrophysics Science and Technology Centre and participate in a roundtable, where she will highlight Canada’s scientific collaboration with Poland and Europe.
Quote
“Canada shares a strong relationship with both the Netherlands and Poland, based on our shared history and common values. Today, we work together to advance Euro-Atlantic security, and advance peace and stability around the world. This visit is a chance for the Governor General to discuss how we can work together to tackle our world’s most pressing issues – and build a more peaceful, prosperous future on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Quick Facts
- This will be Governor General Julie Payette’s first official visit to both the Netherlands and Poland. The last Governor General to visit these two countries was the Right Honourable David Johnston in 2014.
- Canada and the Netherlands share a dynamic relationship, based on common values, strong commercial ties, and a rich military and royal history. Today, over one million people of Dutch origin reside in Canada.
- The Canada-Poland relationship has a strong historical foundation rooted in rich military cooperation and strong people-to-people ties. Today, more than one million people of Polish origin call Canada their home.
- The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) provides opportunities to strengthen the bilateral economic relationship with both countries. Over the first year that CETA was in force, Canada’s two-way trade increased by 30.2 percent with the Netherlands and 47.2 percent with Poland.
- Canada, the Netherlands, and Poland are active members of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, NATO, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and the various international judicial institutions headquartered in The Hague.
- The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of individuals in a wide range of fields and pays tribute to the dedication and commitment of volunteers.
- The Meritorious Service Decorations recognize great Canadians for exceptional deeds that bring honour to our country. They recognize remarkable contributions in many different fields of endeavour, from advocacy initiatives and health care services, to research and humanitarian efforts.
- The AstroCeNT Particle and Astrophysics Science and Technology Centre, established as part of Poland’s International Research Agendas programme under the Foundation for Polish Science, is an interdisciplinary centre pursuing research in particle astrophysics, with a special focus on dark matter and gravitational waves.
Associated Links
- Canada – Netherlands Relations
- Canada – Poland Relations
- Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
- The Second World War – The Scheldt
- Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers
- Meritorious Service Decorations (Civil Decision)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany
August 25, 2019
Biarritz, France
Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, met with Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany.
Prime Minister Trudeau and Chancellor Merkel reviewed the key issues under discussion at the G7, including current challenges in the global economy and international security.
The leaders discussed Iran and agreed on the importance of the Joint and Comprehensive Plan of Action and the need for de-escalation. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor also discussed their support for Ukraine and stressed the importance of reform, noting the strong mandate in this regard following the recent presidential and parliamentary elections.
The two leaders also discussed the imperative of fighting climate change. They expressed concern with the wildfires in the Amazon as an international crisis to be addressed throughout the G7.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame
August 25, 2019
Biarritz, France
Today Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, on the margins of the G7 Summit in Biarritz, France.
The Prime Minister and President affirmed the importance of strong and growing bilateral relations and exchanged views on their shared priorities including good governance and economic growth that benefits everyone, and the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
The two leaders spoke about the importance of working together in multilateral fora. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for his meeting with Ms. Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie in June, in Ottawa. They also discussed their mutual priorities for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of State and Government meeting in Rwanda in 2020.
