Where is the G7 summit and which countries are in the G7 group?
THE G7 2017 summit has become with world leaders convening to discuss climate change and economic policies. But where is the G7 summit and which countries are members of the group?
The G7 summit in Taormina, Sicily, Italy with Donald Trump
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Where is the G7 summit this year?
The 43rd G7 summit is being held in the picturesque mountain-side town of Taormina in Sicily, Italy.
Italy which has been struggling with the effects of the migrant crisis, chose to host the G7 to focus the group’s attention on migration.
The summit’s meetings will be held in the five-star cliff-top Hotel San Domenico, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.
Leaders from the world’s biggest powerhouses have already arrived on the Island with President Donald Trump tweeting: “Just arrived in Italy for the G7. Trip has been very successful.
“We made and saved the USA many billions of dollars and millions of jobs.
“Getting ready to engage G7 leaders on many issues including economic growth, terrorism, and security.”
Who are the members of G7?
The Group of Seven, or G7, is a group of the seven most advanced economies, representing a majority of the net global wealth.
Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and the United States make up the group, with the addition of the European Union.
The G7 summit is being held in the town of Taormina, on Sicily, Italy
Seven nations make up the G7, with the addition of the European Union
According to the International Monetary Fund guidelines, a high net national wealth and a high Human Development Index are requirements to be a member.
Just arrived in Italy for the G7. Trip has been very successful
It originated with the Group of Six and was founded in 1975 as a group of bankers and finance minsters from France, West Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and the US.
What will the G7 focus on?
Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said one of the important issues faced by the summit this year is the empowering of women and girls around the world.
In a blog post posted ahead of the summit, Mr Trudeau further went on to say he will work towards championing free trade and promote a “global clean economy”.
Italy however is expected to emphasise the issue of migration as more than 180,000 migrants landed on the shores of the country last year.
"It won't be an easy discussion," Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said. "Italian presidency will try to ensure it is a useful one, capable of bringing the different positions closer together.
The sentiment was mirrored by EU President Donald Tusk who said he had no doubt this summit will be the “most challenging summit in years”.
Climate change is also about to appear on the table, and could be a hotly contested point of discussion after Mr Trump labelled global warming a hoax.
The G7 are the world's leading powerhouse economies
This year could focus on the migrant crisis and climate change, as well as North Korea
Mr Trump has also been threatening that he would pull out of the 2015 Paris Agreement – the world’s first ever universal climate change deal signed by 195 nations.
The threat posed by North Korea and its leader Kim Jong-un will also make the rounds as Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared he would bring up his concerns.
"The issue of North Korea is a grave threat not only to East Asia but also to the world," Mr Abe told reporters before leaving Tokyo.