The G7 remains a powerhouse of international cooperation and shared efforts for peace and stability.

These efforts are indispensable, because our freedom and security are being challenged as almost never before – by Russia’s continuing war of aggression against Ukraine, by attacks on strategically important infrastructure and interference with air traffic, and just as much by the undermining of elections and democratic processes.

In light of these threats, the united front that the G7 members stand for remains essential.

Canada, which currently holds the Presidency, is foregrounding issues including maritime security and critical minerals, which are significant at global level as well as very tangibly for Germany – for our defence, our trade and our economic resilience.

We are seeing that threats to trade routes, severed undersea cables or disrupted supply chains can bring production lines to a halt at any time, seriously jeopardising economic growth and jobs.

My goal is for us to liaise even more closely with our friends and partners on these issues, and to work hand in hand to defend our prosperity.

While in Canada, we will also be coordinating our responses to international crises. We remain firmly committed to standing by Ukraine in its fight for a just peace.

This year alone, Germany has provided 9 billion euro in military assistance for Ukraine. We are also increasing our civilian support. With an additional 40 million euro of funding, we are helping the people of Ukraine to endure another winter of war. We are helping them to keep their lights and heating on, and helping to prevent Russia and its targeted terror attacks on the civilian gas and heat supply from breaking the spirit of the defenders of their homeland.

In the Middle East, we and our partners agree that what is now needed is for the ceasefire to hold and the rebuilding of Gaza to be able to begin. Germany will play a resolute part in this. Meanwhile, it remains clear that Hamas must not be allowed to play a role in Gaza’s future. In the profound crises in the Sudan and Haiti as well, we want to contribute to stabilisation and provide support for our initiatives in both countries as strong partners.

The G7 members will be joined in Niagara-on-the-Lake by further partner states. This expanded cooperation with strong worldwide partners – with India, Korea, Saudi Arabia and South Africa – reflects a clear conviction that global challenges can only be tackled together, through exchange, openness and dependability.