G7 development ministers meet in Paris

The Group of Seven (G7) development ministers gathered in Paris on Wednesday for a two-day meeting, with discussions focusing on global development financing, resilience, and the impact of international crises.

The meeting, hosted by French Minister for Development Cooperation Eleonore Caroit, is part of preparations for the upcoming G7 leaders’ summit in Evian, France, scheduled for June 15-17.

Opening the session, Caroit said the global environment was changing rapidly, pointing to overlapping challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, armed conflicts, and pandemics.

“The world is changing more and more quickly,” she said, adding that developing countries remain particularly exposed to global shocks, including debt pressures and limited access to financing.

She said the ministers aim to promote a new development approach based on “mutually beneficial partnerships,” with a focus on sovereignty, resilience, efficiency, and reform of the global development system.

Discussions will cover infrastructure investment, health financing, and responses to the impact of the Middle East crisis on vulnerable countries, as well as coordination with international financial institutions.

The meeting brings together G7 members, EU representatives, and partner countries, including Brazil, India, Kenya, Morocco, and South Korea.