World Leaders Gather in Canada for the 51st G7 Summit

From June 15 to 17, 2025, the 51st G7 Summit will convene in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, bringing together leaders from the world's most advanced economies to address pressing global issues. This marks the second time Kananaskis has hosted the summit, the first being in 2002.

The summit will see the participation of several first-time attendees, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. U.S. President Donald Trump will return to the G7 stage after a six-year hiatus. The agenda is set to tackle critical topics such as international peace and security, global economic stability, digital transformation, and climate change initiatives.

In addition to the core G7 members—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States—the European Union will be represented by Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Several non-G7 leaders have also been invited, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. As of May 2025, President Sheinbaum had not confirmed her attendance, stating it was "a possibility."

The summit's agenda is expected to address pressing global issues, including international peace and security, with a focus on the situation in Ukraine; global economic stability and growth, encompassing trade policies and economic cooperation; digital transformation challenges and opportunities, such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; and climate change initiatives and environmental sustainability.

Hosting the summit in the remote Kananaskis region presents unique security challenges. The Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG), led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and including the Calgary Police Service, Alberta Sheriffs Branch, Alberta Conservation officers, and the Canadian Armed Forces, is overseeing security preparations. Measures include establishing a controlled access zone around key summit venues from June 10 to 18, with restricted airspace for aircraft and drones. Access to this zone will be limited to authorized personnel, residents, and businesses. Temporary airspace restrictions will be enforced over the event area during the summit, applying to all unauthorized aircraft, including drones, within the designated no-fly zone. The exact boundaries and timeframe for these restrictions will be communicated to the public and aviation stakeholders well in advance.

Given the area's rich wildlife, including threatened grizzly bears, dedicated teams will be in place to protect both wildlife and dignitaries. Fraser Logan, spokesperson for the ISSG, stated, "We will have a dedicated team of experts about coexistence with wildlife and trying to mitigate all negative wildlife interactions." Security personnel will follow strict protocols to minimize environmental impacts, including managing food attractants and ensuring proper waste disposal.

The summit will result in temporary closures of popular tourist spots in Kananaskis. The Nakiska Ski Area will be closed from April 22 to July 30, Mount Kidd RV Park from May 15 to July 1, and the Kananaskis Country Golf Course is expected to be closed to the public during the summit period. Additionally, several trailheads will be affected by the controlled access zone, with some closed and others open only up to the zone's boundary.

The Canadian government has acknowledged that the summit will take place on the traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy Nations (Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika), the Stoney Nakoda Nations (Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Métis people. This recognition underscores the significance of the land and its original inhabitants.

This is the second time Kananaskis has hosted the G7/G8 Summit, the first being in 2002. The 2002 summit was notable for its focus on African development and the global response to terrorism in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. The 2025 summit occurs in a different geopolitical context, with new leadership in several member countries and evolving global challenges.

As the summit approaches, the world watches to see how these leaders will navigate complex international issues and foster cooperation in an increasingly interconnected and dynamic global landscape.