G7 SUMMIT

At the invitation of French President HE Emmanuel Macron, I will travel to France with Mrs Morrison from 24 to 26 August for the 45th G7 Summit in Biarritz. This is the first time Australia has been invited to attend the G7 and I thank President Macron for his kind invitation.

 

The G7 brings together the world’s largest developed economies. This Summit is taking place amidst increasing global economic headwinds, threats to global security and stability and sharpening trade tensions. All of these developments have implications for our national interests. This forum will be an important opportunity to listen and to put forward Australia’s views on these global challenges.

 

I will take the opportunity to work with leaders and industry representatives who share my commitment to tackling terrorist and extremist exploitation of the internet. I am keen to build on the progress made on this issue at the recent G20 meeting in Osaka - progress driven by Australia on the world stage.

 

I will use my meetings with European leaders to highlight the importance of a commercially meaningful Australia European Union Free Trade Agreement.  I also plan to discuss a possible Australia United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement with British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

 

Australia is a world leader in areas of environmental protection such as ocean and reef biodiversity protection and management. I look forward to sharing with G7 leaders the good work we are doing at home and with our Pacific partners and our commitment to reduce plastics pollutions in our oceans.

 

I will also take the opportunity to engage with a range of counterparts from other nations attending by invitation on key strategic challenges, especially as they impact on the Indo-Pacific.