The 49th G7 culminated in the G7 Hiroshima Leaders’ Communiqué, which details the priorities of our nations as they commit to serving, building and protecting their global citizens. Despite various efforts to engage our leaders, share and represent the millions of young people across the G7 member states, and lobby our policymakers to put young people at the heart of negotiations - many of the priorities on the minds of young citizens were not sufficiently captured or implemented.

Whilst it was encouraging to see that leaders prioritised supporting Ukraine’s efforts against an ‘illegal war of aggression’, alongside a willingness to strengthen African and Asian involvement in multilateral conversations on peace and security, it is clear there were significant limits to their dedication. Despite language around facilitating nuclear disarmament, there was no clear action plan to ensure all nuclearised countries are engaged in a process of disarmament. It is a shame to see such little progress achieved on this, despite the historical surroundings of Hiroshima.

It was also disappointing to see the continued commitment to invest in fossil fuels, which is completely contrary to not only the Y7 communique, but also the government’s commitments in the Paris Climate Agreement. Without complete divestment in fossil fuels, and the redirection of investments towards renewable energy projects, our progress towards a just and equitable transition will be compromised. ‘Global South’ countries must be supported in developing renewable energies, and the focus on so-called ‘transitional fuels’ such as LNG to meet energy demands, particularly in the Global South, is setting us all up for failure. The leaders are not leading, but failing. While a plan to ensure food security is welcome, without tackling fossil fuels, efforts remain futile.

There were some other promising areas, such as the embrace of emerging technologies to continue to facilitate economic growth and civil progress. It was also encouraging to see the broad scope of embrace extend to education spheres, and urban planning - supporting the development of digitally-equipped cities and individuals. However, the lacklustre commitment is evident here, through the lack of clear timelines, and an action plan around prioritised regions for digital development, and a lack of an attempt to address the regional disparities in access to technology. Whilst there is a strong emphasis on emerging, sophisticated technologies, we are leaving many young people who are underskilled, underfunded and insufficiently equipped to engage in a rapidly technological world. The de-prioritisation of mandated digital rights and digital curriculum will only reproduce the very inequities that exist in our societies.

Given that the G7 represents the most developed economies in the world, there is significant scope for the G7 to produce effective change. The communique aligned in some areas with our proposed Y7 communique, namely in promoting sustainable supply chains and the importance of critical minerals in the just transition. Furthermore, there was incredible potential shown through the proposals in labour and education policy and we commend the references to promoting equity in its many facets. However, the proposals did not go far enough in detail and in reach to address longer term issues such as economic circularity in these areas. It is necessary for the G7 with such economic capacity to provide actionable and strategic policy to enact change. In the UK context, the current cost of living crisis was not adequately addressed which is a key priority for young people. There was significant promise shown this year concerning economic resilience and human capital policy areas however we must hold the G7 accountable in delivering this policy that ‘leaves no one behind’ (p25 G7 Communique).

Following on from a pandemic that has globally exacerbated health inequities and exposed the fragility of our international health infrastructure and domestic approaches to health, this year’s communique does recognises the setback caused by the pandemic, including declining life satisfaction and issues with unequal access, making some promising commitments in efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). As called for by the Y7, it does call for mobilisation of more domestic resource to promote health, it does call for well-being to be a central requirement for employers, and it does interestingly recognise the link between Finance and Health, calling for ministries to work together.

However, it does not go far enough in terms of linking wellbeing, prosperity and happiness to health, and recognising the importance of prevention - this communique continues to see health in a too siloed way, and not as something that should be considered and assessed in all areas. While it is positive to see non-communicable diseases (NCDs) highlighted, alongside some key factors including diet, environment, promotion of healthy ageing, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), the focus is dis-representative to their impact on populations. The ministers do express full commitment to achieving comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRHR) for all, including addressing access to safe and legal abortion, post abortion care and education around SRHR - the gender and equity gap redressing needs however to go further to eradicate violence against women and girls and redress gender gaps in health data and care.

The major fallback of this communique is its failure to go further on Mental Health. With mental health being one of the biggest issues for UK youth, who are seeing mental health issues on average increase and are now the loneliest group, having one appearance in the communiqué in a list of other conditions is not good enough - mental health and well-being needs a much larger focus on the national and international stage and specific strategies and domestic need to be committed to.

Amidst the reality of the positioning of the G7 on the global stage, the access to resourcing and the commitment to meeting the global challenges of our world today, we urge our leaders to set aside performative affirmations and outline a clear, practical action plan which seeks to:

Address nuclear disarmament across all G7 nations and beyond
Divest from investment in fossil fuels and invests in renewable energy sources
Outline a mandated baseline digital curriculum and digital rights
achieve universal health care by restoring essential health services, focussing on mental health, prevention and promoting healthy living

In order to achieve a just and equitable transition to a fairer world which prioritises the wellness, health, welfare and rights of its citizens, G7 leaders must be willing to forgo empty statements and push decisive action plans to make this vision of the world a reality.

For more information, please contact the Y7 Delegation at uky7delegation@futureleaders.network

The Y7 is the official youth engagement group of the G7. The UK’s delegates are selected by the Future Leaders Network and are as follows:

Renée Kapuku: Head Delegate and Digital and Technology Delegate
Loshini Subendran: Economic Resilience Delegate
Molly Hartill: Global Health Delegate
Robert Murtagh: Climate Delegate

You can read each of the delegates’ biographies here: https://twitter.com/UKFutureLeaders/status/1628047136787951619?s=20