Ottawa: A gathering of global leaders is taking place in the picturesque Canadian Rockies for the G7 Summit, coinciding with rising tensions in the Middle East.

During a 90-minute session in Kananaskis, the G7 leaders focused on the global economic landscape, followed by a working lunch that emphasized energy security with invited dignitaries.

The agenda for the summit was streamlined, with a clear emphasis on the global economy and energy security.

The G7, an informal coalition of seven advanced economies—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States—along with the European Union, aims to address significant global economic and geopolitical issues.

This annual summit serves as a crucial platform for coordinating responses to pressing global challenges.

Attendees include prominent figures such as US President Donald Trump, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, all convening for the two-day event.

In a related development, President Macron reiterated France and the EU's commitment to Greenland's autonomy and Denmark's sovereignty, criticizing the US for its repeated claims regarding Greenland, labeling them as 'incorrect.'

Macron stated, 'It is wrong when the United States keeps expressing a wish to take over Greenland,' during a joint press conference in Nuuk with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

He emphasized that 'Greenland cannot be bought or taken,' directly countering previous remarks made by the US President amid heightened geopolitical interest in the Arctic region.

On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Meloni engaged with Chancellor Merz to discuss recent events in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Meloni shared on X, 'During the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, I met with Chancellor Merz. We confirmed our mutual intention to hold a new Intergovernmental Summit between Italy and Germany in Rome in early 2026, focusing on key EU issues like irregular immigration and competitiveness. We also exchanged views on the latest developments in the Middle East and the Ukraine conflict.'

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also met with Meloni on Sunday evening, where they discussed the Middle East situation, emphasizing the need for restraint and de-escalation.

A statement from Starmer's office noted, 'The leaders acknowledged the severe human toll and potential global economic repercussions from rising oil prices, underscoring the importance of this summit for global diplomacy.'

They reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine, recognizing it as a critical security issue to be addressed in the coming days.

Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney, the host of this year's summit, has invited leaders from several non-G7 nations, including Ukraine, Australia, India, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, the UAE, and South Africa.