The 'Group of Seven' (G7) and the 'Group of Twenty' (G20) are informal forums bringing together the Heads of State and government of the world´s leading industrial countries. The annually rotating presidency decides which topics will be discussed in the working groups, and finalised at the ministerial meetings and the summit. The forums offer the political decision-makers the opportunity to informally exchange ideas and reach agreements. The G7 consider themselves a multilateral community of values.

Content

• News
• Structure
• Members
• Presidencies

News

The Group of Seven (G7)

In January 2025, Canada took over the G7 presidency from Italy. Canada’s 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit will be held in Kananaskis, Alberta, from 15 to 17 June. The three priorities of the Canadian G7 presidency are:

1. Protecting our communities and the world—strengthening peace and security, countering foreign interference and transnational crime, and improving joint responses to wildfires.
2. Building energy security and accelerating the digital transition—fortifying critical mineral supply chains and using artificial intelligence and quantum to unleash economic growth.
3. Securing the partnerships of the future—catalysing enormous private investment to build stronger infrastructure, create higher-paying jobs, and open dynamic markets where businesses can compete and succeed.

Canada will not host a meeting of science ministers in 2025. The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) is, however, responsible for some priorities of the newly initiated IDT-track (Industry, Digital and Technology) – this includes among others quantum technologies, research security, and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the existing G7 working groups in the science track remain very active. The BMFTR co-chairs the G7 working group on science communication together with Canada. Also, the BMFTR is involved in the reactivated working group on research security.

The Group of Twenty (G20)

South Africa took over the G20 presidency on 1 December 2024. The overarching motto is 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability'.

Until the new Federal Government was formed in spring 2025, the BMBF was represented in the two G20 working groups on education (EdWG) and research and innovation (RIWG).

With the new Federal Government, the new Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has handed over the area of education to the Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) and is now only represented in the RIWG.

South Africa has set the following priorities for the education sector:

1. Quality basic education: The role of early childhood education (ECCE) in improving the quality of basic education
2. Education and career development for a changing world
3. Mutual recognition of qualifications in a global context

In the area of research and innovation, South Africa prioritised the following topics:

1. Open innovation for development
2. Biodiversity information for sustainable development
3. Diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA)

Each working group has set itself specific goals and final outcomes for the priority topics and is endeavouring to incorporate parts of its final declaration into the summit declaration. The G20 Summit 2025 will take place on 22 and 23 November in Johannesburg.

The International Bureau supports the federal ministries in their cooperation with the G7 and G20 in the areas of education and research.

Structure

The annually rotating presidency decides which topics will be discussed in the working groups, and finalised at the ministerial meetings and the summit.

In the final declarations of the summit meetings, the heads of state and government agree on common goals, tasks and guidelines. Their implementation is primarily a national responsibility. After each summit, the Federal Government informs the committees of the German Bundestag about the results. You can access these reports online.

However, they are not legally binding. Both forums have no permanent headquarters, offices or staff.

The G7 sees itself as a community of values for peace, security and a self-determined life worldwide. Freedom and human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as well as prosperity and sustainable development are central principles.

The G20 members include the world's major economies, representing 85% of global GDP, over 75% of international trade and around two thirds of the world's population.

After its foundation in 1999, the G20 initially focussed largely on general macroeconomic issues, but has since expanded its agenda to include trade, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, the environment, climate change and anti-corruption, among others.

Members

G7 Members

Members of the G7 are Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and the USA. The European Commission has a permanent observer status, which has expanded over time: Since the Ottawa Summit in 1981, the EU Commission has also regularly attended all working meetings. As a supranational organisation, the EU Commission is not 'counted' in the G7 and does not assume the rotating chairmanship.

Following the violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Russia has remained excluded from the G7 since 2014.

Other (guest) states and institutions can be invited by the respective presidency.

G20 Members

The "Group of 20" consists of the members: African Union, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, European Union, France, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey and the USA.

In addition, the host can invite guest countries to the events, which can contribute as well as the member countries.

Furthermore, at the invitation of the Presidency, international and multilateral organisations are also taking part in the work of the G20.

Presidencies

The Presidency is responsible for selecting the priority issues, setting the agenda and organise and prepare the meetings.

G7 Presidency

The presidency rotates annually among the members. Germany has already hosted the G7/G8 in 1978, 1985, 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015 and 2022. In January 2025, Canada took over the G7 presidency from Italy. Germany will take over the G7 presidency in 2029 again.

G20 Presidency

The presidency rotates annually among the member states. The member states are divided into regional groups for the purpose of rotation. The group decides internally who will chair the G20 each year.

Germany last held the G20 presidency in 2017. South Africa currently holds the presidency. For 2026, the United States of America will assume the presidency.