Group of Seven (G7)

Purpose

An informal forum for the world's major advanced economies to coordinate policy on economic, security and global issues.

Members:

7 member states (United States, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada), plus the European Union

Headquarters:

No permanent headquarters/secretariat (rotating annual presidency)

History

The G7 began as the G6 in 1975, when six major industrialized democracies met in France amid the 1970s oil crisis; Canada joined in 1976, forming the G7. Russia was added in 1998 (forming the G8) but was expelled in 2014 after its annexation of Crimea, returning the group to the G7.

Structure

• Annual Summit of Heads of State/Government, hosted by the rotating presidency

Key facts

• Has no formal charter, permanent staff or legal existence, functioning purely as an informal consultative forum
• Represents a shrinking share of global GDP relative to the broader G20 as emerging economies have grown

Pakistan's relationship

Not a member (restricted to major advanced Western-aligned economies plus Japan).