Civil 7 Reaction to the 2025 G7 Development Ministers’ Chair’s Summary
The Civil 7 (C7) welcomes the release of the G7 Development Ministers’ Chair’s Summary, “Fostering Partnerships for Economic Prosperity.” Its emphasis on partnership, shared responsibility, and cooperation with countries in the Global South reflects an understanding that today’s global crises — from conflict and debt to inequality and the climate emergency — are deeply interconnected.
We appreciate the recognition that prosperity requires inclusive growth, resilient societies, and respect for human rights. Civil society has higher ambition for development leaders in establishing more time-bound commitments to rebuild global trust, uphold humanitarian principles, and reverse the retreat from international cooperation.
While we recognize that this was a meeting held on the margins of the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings, many of these pressing development challenges warrant a more substantive, discussion to achieve meaningful progress. Still, we welcome the affirmation of “the value of official development assistance in responding effectively to global challenges.”
Positive signals
The Chair’s Summary includes promising elements. We understand the focus on mobilizing finance for sustainable development and strengthening coordination with international financial institutions by prioritizing mutual economic prosperity and partnerships with the Global South.
References to “local value creation” and “benefits for local communities” are encouraging, though they fall short of true local leadership and locally led development, which remains essential for legitimacy and lasting impact.
We also recognize the reaffirmation of certain commitments, such as to address urgent humanitarian needs and to promote debt sustainability and transparency. To be credible, these must be backed by predictable resources — a modest requirement for economies of the G7’s scale.
Where ambition must rise
Safeguarding Official Development Assistance (ODA)
The C7 Communiqué warned that “sudden and dramatic cuts to foreign aid and a retreat from international cooperation” threaten global stability. While the Chair’s Summary acknowledges the value of ODA, it stops short of confronting the growing trend of redirecting ODA budgets to other uses, including re-militarization. The G7 must recommit to ODA’s original purpose — poverty eradication and equality — and adequately resource the aid infrastructure to address some of the biggest issues of our time.
Respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
In the context of Gaza and other conflicts, upholding IHL is not optional. The G7 Development Ministers’ silence on accountability for civilian harm risks weakening the G7’s credibility as a principled voice for human rights and international law. Ministers should ensure that humanitarian efforts are tied to consistent respect for international law and civilian protection, regardless of political considerations.
Global access to finance and debt justice
While the Summary notes the role of private investment and domestic resource mobilization, it fails to address the structural inequities at the heart of the international financial system. The G7 should advance deeper reforms — from debt cancellation for unsustainable burdens to rechanneling IMF Special Drawing Rights and creating non-debt-creating financing tools — to expand fiscal space for sustainable development.
Looking ahead
The Civil 7 urges the G7 to carry forward and expand this discussion. Several of these issues can and should be revisited in upcoming forums, notably the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in November.
We look forward to continuing constructive dialogue with the Government of Canada and all G7 partners. Civil society stands ready to collaborate in ensuring that development cooperation remains grounded in people and planet