Press Release

The g7+ organised a High Level Summit affirming its commitment to peace during UN General Assembly.

The g7+ organised a High Level Summit affirming its commitment to peace during UN General Assembly.

The g7+ member states held a high-level summit in the margins of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, reaffirming their commitment to cooperation on peace, dialogue, reconciliation, and knowledge-sharing. Co-hosted by the Republic of Sierra Leone, the current Chair of the g7+, and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, the host of the g7+ secretariat, the summit showcased the collective efforts of fragile and conflict-affected states to foster stability and resilience.

The summit was attended by key leaders including H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, H.E. Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, President of São Tomé and Príncipe, H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, H.E. Guylain Nyembo Mbwizya, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as ministers, ambassadors from g7+ countries, and the Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office.
H.E. Kenyeh Barlay, Minister of Planning and Economic Development of Sierra Leone and Chair of the g7+, moderated the summit, emphasizing its goal to share lessons and perspectives on achieving lasting peace and stability in member states.
In his opening statement as a co-host of the summit, H.E. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, praised the significant impact the g7+ has made since its inception. He highlighted key achievements, including the group’s role in championing SDG 16— “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions”—within the agenda 2030, and securing observer status at the United Nations. President Bio called on all g7+ member countries to reaffirm and strengthen their commitment to the group’s core values. He also summarized the six key points from the g7+ statement he delivered at the UN’s Summit of the Future, emphasizing the need for unity and continued progress.

H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste (co-host of the summit) and Eminent Person of the g7+, commended the progress made by member countries and highlighted the critical role they play on the global stage, citing examples like Sierra Leone’s non-permanent membership at the UN Security Council and Somalia’s upcoming term. He emphasized the importance of g7+ countries sharing their perspectives and lessons on cooperation in peace and stability. Expressing regret over setbacks in some member countries, he called for unity and mutual support among g7+ members to achieve peace and stability. Prime Minister Gusmão also extended an invitation to the g7+ Ministers of Foreign Affairs to attend the g7+ Ministerial Meeting in Dili, Timor-Leste, in 2025.

“The g7+ is unique platform as its members are bound by the spirit of solidarity”- H.E. Mr. Carlos Manuel Vila Nova, President of São Tome e Principe

 

“The impacts of conflicts and climate change undermine the country’s efforts to achieve sustainable development goals”- H.E. Guylain Nyembo Mbwizya, Deputy Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of Congo 

Delegations from other g7+ member countries reaffirmed their commitment to the mission of the g7+, emphasizing the need to strengthen the platform for sharing valuable lessons and advocating collectively for more effective and impactful policies. They stressed the importance of promoting inclusive multilateralism and called for a more equitable decision-making process within the United Nations and international financial institutions, ensuring that the voices of fragile and conflict-affected states are heard and respected in global forums.

 

The summit concluded with the adoption of an outcome document, which included agreement on a joint open letter on climate action and financing.  END  

Helche Silvester

Media and Communication Manager

The g7+ Secretariat

Helche.silvester@g7plus.org