The group of seven plus (g7+) held a high-level summit with theme “Conflict prevention in a multipolar world: Perspective from g7+ countries” during the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly on Friday 23rd September 2022, 1:30 – 3:00 pm hosted at the Permanent Mission of Monaco to the United Nations. The summit was co-hosted by the governments of Sierra-Leone, Timor-Leste together with the g7+ secretariat.
The objective of the summit was to unify the voice of g7+ member countries on how best to pursue peace and stability as the world is undergoing geopolitical turmoil. Participants included President of Timor-Leste, Vice president of South Sudan, Eminent Person of g7+, Ministers and ambassadors from g7+ countries, Finland, Bangladesh, Portugal; Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support (on behalf of the UN Secretary General) and representatives of civil society.
The Participants unanimously committed to provide unwavering support to the cause of the g7+ in promoting peace and stability. Referring to the current geopolitical upheaval resulting from tension among big powers that includes war on Ukraine, participants highlighted the importance of dialogue and reconciliation as the only way to pursue peace in the world. The global crises have had disproportionate impact on the lives of people in the global south and very particularly countries that have already been affected by decades of wars and fragility. Participants called on the international community and the developed nations not to insulate these countries that feel the brunt of every man-made and natural crises. Peace and stability in these countries is an assurance to global prosperity.
Speakers highlighted the importance of the g7+ that has provided a platform to conflict affected countries to collectively engage in dialogue with a range of peacebuilding, humanitarian and development actors to enhance the effectiveness engagement.
They further called upon the international community and the United Nations that conflict affected countries which are the host of peacebuilding, humanitarian and development actions must have more say in the design of policies of engagement to ensure that they are context-specific and relevant. The principle of national ownership that the g7+ advocates for remains more relevant than ever.
Participants of the summit agreed that sustaining stability in conflict-affected countries such as those in the g7+ depends on economic growth that should be rooted in countries’ ability to create jobs, basic service delivery and development of infrastructure. Rich in natural resources, most g7+ countries have the potential to be self-reliant if they can manage the resources more effectively.
The summit was concluded by adoption of the declaration by member states which will be submitted to the UN Secretary General. The members agreed to convene regularly at the high level, in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly and further strengthen coordination. They agreed that the g7+ secretariat should increase its presence in New York to help in timely coordination among members and enhancing visibility of the group.