WHAT’S THE G7 AT CARBIS BAY ALL ABOUT?
As Coordinator of the 1991 G7 in London I thought ‘Link’ readers might like my personal forecast for the 2021 Cornwall Summit.
What is a G7 Summit? Since 1975 the leaders of the largest economic democracies have met annually to discuss the burning issues of the day. The growing influence of the G20, including second-tier economic powers, has reduced the G7 to role of ‘steering group’ for the West. The original informality has been abandoned and much of the work will have been done when the leaders meet at Carbis Bay. The Summit is the culmination of numerous prior meetings of Ministers and the “Sherpas”, senior officials, representing their Heads of Government (HoG), who plan the agenda and prepare a draft Communique. Following last year’s cancellation and Boris Johnson’s wish to demonstrate the UK’s global power, the range of issues and of supporting Ministers this year is wider than usual. As host, the UK has also invited Korea, India, Australia, South Africa and ASEAN, a grouping of Asian nations, though not autocratic Russia and China. What will we see? Virtually nothing except on TV; security will be intense with local Police, reinforced to over 5,000, forming a ring of steel around every venue, and wherever the senior delegates, especially President Biden in his own bullet-proof vehicle and accompanying ambulance, are travelling. There will be many road closures although usually brief. All we will see here are a few buses carrying the partners of the HoGs or journalists on their separate sight-seeing programmes. Delegates will stay at the Tregenna Castle and nearby hotels while historic buildings such, as Pendennis and the Tate, will be used for receptions and for 34
meals for Ministers and Heads of Government, cooked by our best-known Cornish chefs, for Ministers and HoGs. I anticipate a Grand Reception hosted by a member of the Royal Family, perhaps with entertainment by a group such as the Fishermen’s Friends, as the flagship event. Accredited journalists, fewer than usual because of Covid, will work at the Falmouth Maritime Museum and will be suitably entertained to show-off Cornwall. What will come out of it? Past experience suggests few lasting results of global importance. While I expect climate change, how to eliminate coronavirus, international cyber-crime and agreeing relations with China and Russia to dominate the proceedings, the
Jeremy with George Bush Senior at the G7 Summit in 1991
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