TRANSCRIPT
World leaders are arriving in Italy's Puglia region ahead of the annual G7 summit.
The G7 comprises some of the world's strongest economies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and host nation Italy.
Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni says hosting the event is an important responsibility for her government.
"I’m proud that we are heading to the G7 and to Europe with the strongest government of all. This is something that has not happened in the past and it’s happening today. It is a satisfaction and also a great responsibility. We must be aware of that responsibility.”
Ms Meloni is hosting from a position of power, following the recent results of the European elections that saw a rise of her fellow right-wing parties.
This could be the final G7 summit for French president Emmanuel Macron, who called for a snap election in the country after his party's overwhelming defeat by the far-right National Rally party in the EU elections last Sunday.
In his first interview following the election announcement, Mr Macron said his decision was based on listening to the citizens of his country.
"I respect our fellow citizens who made that choice. They expressed anger. They would have said 'He (Macron) hasn't listened once again'. That's what's dangerous for this country, that would have been the irresponsible thing to do, to say 'They've expressed anger, but we're going to carry on as if nothing had happened because it's what the system wants'. You're right, while two thirds of the French (people) understand very well the dissolution (of parliament) and this decision that I made, the vast majority of the political system doesn't like it."
Among the many issues set to be discussed during the summit is the further financial support of Ukraine.
The United States is pushing for a multi-billion-dollar loan to Ukraine, to be financed by liquidating frozen Russian assets.
Russia has warned against such actions, saying it has assets of its own that it can use against the West.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the US will discuss this issue with its allies.
"Discussions continue on the ground in Puglia (Italy) on unlocking the proceeds of the Russian sovereign assets. We consider those discussions constructive, productive, driving forward. I don't have anything to announce to you today. But I believe that we are making good progress in generating an outcome in which, those proceeds from those frozen assets could be put to good use. The goal is not to wait until some indefinite point in the future. It's to provide the necessary resources to Ukraine now for its economic, energy and other needs so that it's capable of having the resilience necessary to withstand Russia's continuing aggression."
In addition to the G7 leaders, Italy has also invited 12 other heads of state and other officials to the summit.
Among them is India's prime minister Narendra Modi, who just won a third term in government following his nation's presidential elections.
Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman will also be attending - the first time a Saudi leader takes part in the summit.
Pope Francis has also been called to attend, along with dignitaries from African nations.
United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres says the presence of an African delegation is a positive step forward.
"This is particularly important for African countries. One of the items of the G7, some of whom spend more on average on servicing their debts than on health, education and infrastructure combined. And let's not forget, it is an embarrassment that Africa still has no permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council."
Global leaders are also set to discuss the rapid rise of artificial intelligence technologies.
Mr Guterres says their unregulated use poses a risk to governments worldwide.
"And we must act urgently on artificial intelligence. Another of the items for the G7, and the central question of governments today. These technologies are racing ahead of regulation. They are being rolled out with virtually no regard for the consequences and they are inflaming tensions and divisions."
Climate change, migration policies, the war in Gaza and the imposition of tariffs on Chinese exports are also on the agenda for the two-day summit that ends on Saturday.
