Picture and Communique: Agit Prop at the G7

The picture was taken by Jesco Denzel, a German government photographer, and released by Steffen Seibert, spokesman for the chancellor, Angela Merkel (Merkel's G7 photo says everything about Trump's diplomacy – or does it?).

German Chancellor Angela Merkel shared a photo on her official Instagram account Saturday from the Group of Seven (G-7) summit, surrounded by other world leaders… and in mid-stare-down with President Trump. The photo’s caption describes it as a “spontaneous meeting between two working sessions,” but a subtext of the post was picked up by many who read between the lines. “Angela Merkel’s office has released this photo taken today at the G7, which tells you a lot about how things went,” one tweet reads. (Trump and Angela Merkel’s Stare-Down: Photo From G-7 Sets Internet on Fire)

Lots of people liked the picture. "While Trump has already left the G-7 Saturday morning, the picture in still burning up the internet, officially becoming a Twitter Moment Saturday." (Ibid).  The numbers are impressive, at least by my own modest standards. One can see a low estimate of the numbers from the Instagram post below, as well.

 (Credit Instagram)

OK, I admit I liked the picture too, but for its irony.

"The release of the picture caused animated commentary around the world about body language and what it might say about relations between the US and its allies in the Trump era." (Merkel's G7 photo says everything about Trump's diplomacy – or does it?). Indeed, there is more than one way to "read" the picture. This post considers this picture not just for the way it was meant to be read by those who posted it and their allies. The consideration will be grounded in pictures--the images with which this marvelous Instagram document can be read with or against.  It also suggests that however inadvertently, the picture suggests another reading and one in which those who posted it do not necessarily come out well.

The picture circulated as part of the herd reporting by global media. The G7 "script" has come to require a broadly worded communique unanimously endorsed by the G7 participants. This documentation of unity, even when it is meant to paper over vast differences, was viewed as politically necessary. One can read the full text of the draft agreement below. The idea, I suppose was to continue to project unity in diversity; or the notion that in the free wheeling West core values will always trump disagreements over implementation. Or perhaps, this is driven by a fear that any deviation from tradition might make markets anxious because for all of the West's embrace of dynamic exchanges, there is in reality very little tolerance for any disagreement except behind closed doors.

 

  (Pix credit here; for reporting see also here)

But at the last minute and only after he had left the meeting, it seems, the U.S. 45th President let it be known that he would not sign on. This act represented a deviation from the traditional scripting of these high level circuses.  It was the choice of method for breaking with convention, a set of tweets as the U.S. President left for Asia, that appeared to raise the temperature of reaction.

It took just two tweets by U.S. President Donald Trump to shatter what seemed like a fragile consensus reached by G7 leaders after tense talks at their Quebec summit this weekend and raise the spectre of an all-out trade war with Canada. The tweets, sent as Trump was en route to Singapore for his summit with North Korea, were personal and aimed squarely at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (G7 unity torpedoed by angry Trump tweets dismissing Trudeau as 'dishonest & weak').

Beyond the insult, or around it, the failure to produce a unanimous communique this time was viewed by global opinion managers as leaving the G7 "in disarray" (here, and  here ("Donald Trump has left the G7 network of global cooperation in disarray after he pulled the US out of a previously agreed summit communique, blaming the Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau whom he derided as “dishonest and weak”.")). Reaction could also be a bit snippy (G7 in disarray after Trump rejects communique and attacks 'weak' Trudeau ("The US president, who arrived at the summit in Canada late and left early to fly to Singapore to prepare for his summit with Kim Jong-un, shocked fellow leaders with a bellicose press conference on Saturday in which he attacked the trade policies of other countries."). It was also characterized as a failure to heal trade rifts (here; "Trump had come to Quebec insisting on his long-standing claim that America has been exploited for too long by existing trade arrangements -- and he was met by counterparts equally determined to protect the "rules-based" international system.")

Others gloated in an interesting sort of way, suggesting that the message was for China more than for the Allies the United States had just miffed (here, "“His message from Quebec to Singapore is that he is going to meld the industrial democracies to his will — and bring back Russia,” said Steve Bannon, Trump’s former campaign and White House adviser. Bannon said China is “now on notice that Trump will not back down from even allies’ complaints in his goal of ‘America First.’"). Vladimir Puti also gloated with an odd critical assessment of the value of unity that was the main object of the meetig from which this quite was extracted. 

On Sunday, Putin said it was not Moscow's choice to leave the G7. "We will be glad to see everyone here in Moscow," he said. He added however that the combined purchasing power of the SCO outstripped that of the G7 and, when asked to comment on the G7 joint statement said the bloc should stop its "creative babbling". ((China-hosted SCO summit 'unity' contrasts with G7 disarray).

But it was clear on the European side that the intention was to bring the President to heal--and to his senses--as these things are judged by the standards and expectations of the Post War Settlement Era.  "European officials said Trump had opposed language in the draft final summit communique on the need to bolster the World Trade Organization and multilateral oversight of commerce, but that this commitment would survive. "For us, it was important to have a commitment to rules-based trade," Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel said." (G7 summit fails to heal trade rift as Trump exits early). 

(Pix credit here)

And, indeed, some media outlets, used the "disarray" theme in a more interesting way.  The  order and unity of the growing Chinese economic-military block was the standard against which the anarchy and public rupture in the West was painted. "Despite disagreements between members of the eight-member grouping, the apparent harmony in which the summit took place stood in contrast with the G7 meeting in Canada." (China-hosted SCO summit 'unity' contrasts with G7 disarray). The idea, I suppose, was that unity über alles, über alles in der Welt (an ironic allusion to the Deutschlandlied) was now the touchstone of successful trade and international relations. 

Yet there is something strangely comical about this apotheosis of unity über alles, über alles in der Welt.  It brings to mind not so much the usual knee jerk and mindless comparisons to the horrible time of the Nazi era of German history (e.g., here) and their perverse twisting  of historical determinism in propaganda (e.g., here) but rather to something much more absurdly comedic--the left liberal obsession with unity and its culmination in the governance practices of Soviet Marxism in the middle of the 20th century.


 

It reminded me a little of that marvelous scene in "The Death of Stalin" when the Central Committee meets after Stalin's body is found.  The meeting's orchestrated projection of unity within a Central Committee whose members were weeks from seeking each others' murder reminds us of both the comedic element in public searches for unity, and the way in which those public masquerades weaken democratic engagement by anyone outside the magic circle within which agreement and unity must be achieved. It is a a reminder that in the West it a a bit ridiculous to seek to act either like 19th century autocrats, or 21st century bureaucrats when undertaking the very messy business of international relations among democratic countries with broad traditions of fairly heated debate and discord.  The G7 is not a bureaucracy--whatever the 21st century's tendency toward bureaucratism might otherwise suggest.  While it is important to develop mechanisms for stressing what binds the allies, the importance of this reflex (one that ought to be practiced more often in fact than in form though these ridiculous communiques), it is as important to avoid reducing these critical meetings to little more than exercises in lowest common denominator communication.

But then, this is agitprop! 

It is more than that, though, in a deliciously ambiguous way. The absurdity of obsession with unity in diversity that rotted the Soviet regime that seems to seep through the equally ridiculous indulgence of the German Chancellor and her allies in the (personal) war they have been enjoying with Mr. Trump (who might indeed be enjoying the anarchy of this war even more). And, of course, the Europeans understand that better than most.
 
So why the picture? The Western press has proven helpful here. Helpfully, a German journalist tweeted composites of six contrasting pictures of the same moment – and who released them to the press." ((Merkel's G7 photo says everything about Trump's diplomacy – or does it?)).

 Kong John underskriver Magna Carta i 1215

First the picture is visually beautiful.  it is well composed and emphasizes the emotion and dynamism of that moment.  It has a monumental quality that appears to lend the moment a great significance.

It shows Trump, arms folded and eyes glaring, sitting while around him stand a group of world leaders and their advisers. Merkel is centre stage, arms planted on a table, with the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, standing to her left, arms folded and a look of resignation on his face. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, stands next to Merkel, partially obscured, with the British prime minister, Theresa May, more obscured still at his right. (Merkel's G7 photo says everything about Trump's diplomacy – or does it?).

The BBC News outlet provided a map identifying the people who appeared in the now iconic photo (Trump at G7: Who's who in Merkel's photo?). But the value of that composition is its ambiguity.

(Seventh ecumenical council, Icon, 17th century, Novodevichy Convent, Moscow)

Second, the picture appears easy to invest with meaning. The nature of that ease is bound up with the ambiguity of the composition itself.  For those who dislike Mr. Trump and the New Era "America First" Initiative, it concisely paints a heroic picture of Europe's leaders seeking to save the world from an intemperate leader.  Merkel stands, Trump sits; Merkel is surrounded by allies, Trump appears isolated; Merkel appears decisive, Trump appears obstinate;  etc. For those who despise the European position, the characterizations can be reversed.  Here Merkel appears to be a bully, Trump a patient leader; Merkel appears aggressive, Trump patient; Merkel appears as a suppliant, Trump as the decisionmaker; etc.

 

Liberty Leading the People, by Eugène Delacroix, 1830 / Louvre Museum

Third, the propaganda elements of this picture are too good to resist. Consider that the picture advances interest much more efficiently, and at far less cost, than the time and effort devoted to this essay.  And probably conveys its message to adherents much more successfully.  That is the value of propaganda, and this is a fine example of visual propaganda that permits people to read into it what they might like.  And that is the essence of agitprop: perspective matters.

(Photo credit)

And some perspectives do not.

Fourth, it might also be possible to extract inadvertent meaning from the picture. It is possible to read the picture in a somewhat different light.  Let's give that a try:

One might look at the picture and be struck first by the great rift between the Europeans and Japanese.  One might see in the picture a developing closeness between the U.S. and Japan against a European view that has run out of steam and relevance in the form in which it is presented. Both Abe and Trump appear in parallel--each with arms crossed.  Both are focused on the Europeans, and perhaps more importantly, on developments in Asia (e.g., here). 

One might see in the picture the realities of European power structures--the revealed realities of the E.U. as a Franco-German Empire, with the UK on the margins, and France increasingly obscured. Everyone is in blue--there is the only unity in the picture.  Yet the blues of each of the actors could as easily draw them apart as bring them together. Merkel wears the blue of the E.U.; Mr. Trump that of the United States. Color matters (here, and here ("Wear blue when you want to exude power, have mental control, be conservative, respected or communicate an important message. Don't wear blue when you feel isolated, depressed, critical. ")).

One might see in the picture its most important element--the table with a white tablecloth. That table serves as a physical manifestation of the gulf that separates the U.S. and Europe.  Japan stands at the side.  

And one might see in the periphery the whisperers. Mr. Bolton stands in the picture like the Grand Inquisitor in the beginning of the 2nd Act of Verdi's Don Carlo moments from his most important aria--‘Son io dinanzi al Re?’ (Am I before the King?) (aria here). "Bolton wrote: “Just another #G7 where other countries expect America will always be their bank. The president made it clear today. No more.”" (Merkel's G7 photo says everything about Trump's diplomacy – or does it?). Larry Kudlow, director of the US National Economic Council, on the other hand appears more in the role of Don Basilio in Rossini's Barber of Seville as he advises his friend Doctor Bartolo on the most efficient way of getting rd of a rival through the use of calumny to advance their interests.

(aria here)

"White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow repeatedly accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of “betrayal” and saying he “stabbed us in the back” for standing up to President Donald Trump after the G-7 meeting." (Kudlow: Trudeau ‘stabbed us in the back’).

Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japanese deputy chief cabinet secretary, and Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Japanese senior deputy minister for foreign affairs, appear to bridge the interior world of the picture and the observer. They also form a marvelous triangle at whose apex is Mr. Abe. They appear as a unit, the screen against which Mr. Trump sits and gives audience.

Bravo.  One has here at least a marvelous piece of agit prop that serves the interests of all of those invested in it.  But does it do anything else?  For that we must wait and see. But what is clear is that even the most compelling bit of agit prop can be turned on itself.  Visual agitprop is an invitation to engage with image the way one used to engage with words.  In both cases ideas may be produced.  But the marvelous image that the Germans produced can take on a life of its own from the moment it is liberated. In this case,  some of these interpretations may actually do the Germans more harm than good--not with one's allies, but precisely with those who need to be influenced. 

(American Agitprop: Our 'Heroes and Villains' Playing Cards
)

 (PIX CREDIT)

__________

THE CHARLEVOIX G7 SUMMIT COMMUNIQUE

1. We, the Leaders of the G7, have come together in Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada on June 8–9, 2018, guided by our shared values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and our commitment to promote a rules-based international order. As advanced economies and leading democracies, we share a fundamental commitment to investing in our citizens and meeting their needs and to responding to global challenges. We collectively affirm our strong determination to achieve a clean environment, clean air and clean water. We are resolved to work together in creating a healthy, prosperous, sustainable and fair future for all.

Investing in Growth that Works for Everyone

1. We share the responsibility of working together to stimulate sustainable economic growth that benefits everyone and, in particular, those most at risk of being left behind. We welcome the contribution of technological change and global integration to global economic recovery and increased job creation. The global economic outlook continues to improve, but too few citizens have benefited from that economic growth. While resilience against risk has improved among emerging market economies, recent market movements remind us of potential vulnerabilities. We will continue monitoring market developments and using all policy tools to support strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth that generates widespread prosperity. We reaffirm our existing exchange rate commitments. We commit to promoting smart, sustainable and high-quality investments, such as in infrastructure, to boost growth and productivity and create quality jobs. Economic growth is fundamental to raising living standards. We also recognize that economic output alone is insufficient for measuring success and acknowledge the importance of monitoring other societal and economic indicators that measure prosperity and well-being. We are committed to removing the barriers that keep our citizens, including women and marginalized individuals, from participating fully in the global economy. We endorse the Charlevoix Commitment on Equality and Economic Growth,which reinforces our commitment to eradicate poverty, advance gender equality, foster income equality, ensure better access to financial resources and create decent work and quality of life for all.
2. In order to ensure that everyone pays their fair share, we will exchange approaches and support international efforts to deliver fair, progressive, effective and efficient tax systems. We will continue to fight tax evasion and avoidance by promoting the global implementation of international standards and addressing base erosion and profit shifting. The impacts of the digitalization of the economy on the international tax system remain key outstanding issues. We welcome the OECD interim report analyzing the impact of digitalization of the economy on the international tax system. We are committed to work together to seek a consensus-based solution by 2020.
3. We acknowledge that free, fair and mutually beneficial trade and investment, while creating reciprocal benefits, are key engines for growth and job creation. We recommit to the conclusions on trade of the Hamburg G20 Summit, in particular, we underline the crucial role of a rules-based international trading system and continue to fight protectionism. We note the importance of bilateral, regional and plurilateral agreements being open, transparent, inclusive and WTO-consistent, and commit to working to ensure they complement the multilateral trade agreements. We commit to modernize the WTO to make it more fair as soon as possible. We strive to reduce tariff barriers, non-tariff barriers and subsidies.
4. We will work together to enforce existing international rules and develop new rules where needed to foster a truly level playing field, addressing in particular non-market oriented policies and practices, and inadequate protection of intellectual property rights, such as forced technology transfer or cyber-enabled theft. We call for the start of negotiations – this year – to develop stronger international rules on market-distorting industrial subsidies and trade-distorting actions by state-owned enterprises. We also call on all members of the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity to fully and promptly implement its recommendations. We stress the urgent need to avoid excess capacity in other sectors such as aluminum and high technology. We call on the International Working Group on Export Credits to develop a new set of guidelines for government-supported export credits, as soon as possible in 2019.
5. To support growth and equal participation that benefits everyone, and ensure our citizens lead healthy and productive lives, we commit to supporting strong, sustainable health systems that promote access to quality and affordable healthcare and to bringing greater attention to mental health. We support efforts to promote and protect women’s and adolescents’ health and well-being through evidence-based healthcare and health information. We recognize the World Health Organization’s vital role in health emergencies, including through the Contingency Fund for Emergencies and the World Bank’s Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility, and emphasize their need for further development and continued and sustainable financing. We recommit to support our 76 partners to strengthen their implementation of the International Health Regulations, including through their development of costed national action plans and the use of diverse sources of financing and multi-stakeholder resources. We will prioritize and coordinate our global efforts to fight against antimicrobial resistance, in a “one health” approach. We will accelerate our efforts to end tuberculosis, and its resistant forms. We reconfirm our resolve to work with partners to eradicate polio and effectively manage the post-polio transition. We affirm our support for a successful replenishment of the Global Fund in 2019.
6. Public finance, including official development assistance and domestic resource mobilization, is necessary to work towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, but alone is insufficient to support the economic growth and sustainable development necessary to lift all populations from poverty. As a result, we have committed to the Charlevoix Commitment on Innovative Financing for Development to promote economic growth in developing economies and foster greater equality of opportunity within and between countries. We will continue to invest in quality infrastructure with open access. Given rising debt levels in low income countries and the importance of debt sustainability, we call for greater debt transparency not only from low income debtor countries, but also emerging sovereign lenders and private creditors. We support the ongoing work of the Paris Club, as the principal international forum for restructuring official bilateral debt, towards the broader inclusion of emerging creditors. We recognize the value in development and humanitarian assistance that promotes greater equality of opportunity, and gender equality, and prioritizes the most vulnerable, and will continue to work to develop innovative financing models to ensure that no one is left behind.

Preparing for Jobs of the Future

1. We are resolved to ensure that all workers have access to the skills and education necessary to adapt and prosper in the new world of work brought by innovation through emerging technologies. We will promote innovation through a culture of lifelong learning among current and future generations of workers. We will expand market-driven training and education, particularly for girls and women in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. We recognize the need to remove barriers to women’s leadership and equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of the labour market, including by eliminating violence, discrimination and harassment within and beyond the workplace. We will explore innovative new approaches to apprenticeship and vocational learning, as well as opportunities to engage employers and improve access to workplace training.
2. We highlight the importance of working towards making social protection more effective and efficient and creating quality work environments for workers, including those in non-standard forms of work. Expanding communication and collaboration between governments and businesses, social partners, educational institutions and other relevant stakeholders will be essential for preparing workers to adapt and thrive in the new world of work. To realize the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI), we endorse the Charlevoix Common Vision for the Future of Artificial Intelligence. We recognize that a human-centric approach to AI has the potential to introduce new sources of economic growth, bring significant benefits to our societies and help address some of our most pressing challenges.

Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

1. We recognize that gender equality is fundamental for the fulfillment of human rights and is a social and economic imperative. However, gender inequality persists despite decades of international commitments to eliminate these differences. We will continue to work to remove barriers to women’s participation and decision-making in social, economic and political spheres as well as increase the opportunities for all to participate equally in all aspects of the labour market. Our path forward will promote women’s full economic participation through working to reduce the gender wage gap, supporting women business leaders and entrepreneurs and recognizing the value of unpaid care work.
2. Equal access to quality education is vital to achieve the empowerment and equal opportunity of girls and women, especially in developing contexts and countries struggling with conflict. Through the Charlevoix Declaration on Quality Education for Girls, Adolescent Girls and Women in Developing Countries, we demonstrate our commitment to increase opportunities for at least 12 years of safe and quality education for all and to dismantle the barriers to girls’ and women’s quality education, particularly in emergencies and in conflict-affected and fragile states. We recognize that marginalized girls, such as those with a disability, face additional barriers in attaining access to education.
3. Advancing gender equality and ending violence against girls and women benefits all and is a shared responsibility in which everyone, including men and boys, has a critical role to play. We endorse the Charlevoix Commitment to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Abuse and Harassment in Digital Contexts, and are resolved to end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. We strive for a future where individuals’ human rights are equally protected both offline and online; and where everyone has equal opportunity to participate in political, social, economic and cultural endeavors.

Building a More Peaceful and Secure World

1. We share a responsibility to build a more peaceful and secure world, recognizing that respect for human rights, the rule of law and equality of opportunity are necessary for lasting security and to enable economic growth that works for everyone. The global security threats we face are complex and evolving and we commit to working together to counter terrorism. We welcome the outcome of the international conference on the fight against terrorist financing, held in Paris April 25-26, 2018. Foreign terrorist fighters must be held accountable for their actions. We are committed to addressing the use of the internet for terrorist purposes, including as a tool for recruitment, training, propaganda and financing, and by working with partners such as the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism. We underscore the importance of taking concrete measures to eradicate trafficking in persons, forced labour, child labour and all forms of slavery, including modern slavery.
2. Recognizing that countries that are more equal are also more stable, more peaceful and more democratic, we are resolved to strengthen the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. Gender-sensitive measures that include women’s participation and perspectives to prevent and eradicate terrorism are vital to effective and sustainable results, protection from sexual and gender-based violence, and preventing other human rights abuses and violations.
3. We commit to take concerted action in responding to foreign actors who seek to undermine our democratic societies and institutions, our electoral processes, our sovereignty and our security as outlined in the Charlevoix Commitment on Defending Democracy from Foreign Threats. We recognize that such threats, particularly those originating from state actors, are not just threats to G7 nations, but to international peace and security and the rules-based international order. We call on others to join us in addressing these growing threats by increasing the resilience and security of our institutions, economies and societies, and by taking concerted action to identify and hold to account those who would do us harm.
4. We continue to call on North Korea to completely, verifiably and irreversibly dismantle all of its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missiles as well as its related programs and facilities. We acknowledge recent developments, including North Korea’s announcement of a moratorium on nuclear testing and ballistic missile launches, a commitment to denuclearization made in the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration – assuming full implementation – and the apparent closure of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site on May 24; but we reiterate the importance of full denuclearization. The dismantlement of all of its WMD and ballistic missiles will lead to a more positive future for all people on the Korean Peninsula and a chance of prosperity for the people of North Korea, who have suffered for too long. However, more must be done and we call on all states to maintain strong pressure, including through the full implementation of relevant UNSCRs, to urge North Korea to change its course and take decisive and irreversible steps. In this context, we once again call upon North Korea to respect the human rights of its people and resolve the abductions issue immediately
5. We urge Russia to cease its destabilizing behaviour to undermine democratic systems and its support of the Syrian regime. We condemn the attack using a military-grade nerve agent in Salisbury, United Kingdom. We share and agree with the United Kingdom’s assessment that it is highly likely that the Russian Federation was responsible for the attack, and that there is no plausible alternative explanation. We urge Russia to live up to its international obligations, as well as its responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to uphold international peace and security. Notwithstanding, we will continue to engage with Russia on addressing regional crises and global challenges, where it is in our interests. We reiterate our condemnation of the illegal annexation of Crimea and reaffirm our enduring support for Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally-recognized borders. We maintain our commitment to assisting Ukraine in implementing its ambitious and necessary reform agenda. We recall that the continuation of sanctions is clearly linked to Russia’s failure to demonstrate complete implementation of its commitments in the Minsk Agreements and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and we fully support the efforts within the Normandy Format and of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for a solution to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Should its actions so require, we also stand ready to take further restrictive measures in order to increase costs on Russia. We remain committed to support Russian civil society and to engage and invest in people-to-people contact.
6. We strongly condemn the murderous brutality of Daesh and its oppression of civilian populations under its control. As an international community, we remain committed to the eradication of Daesh and its hateful ideology. In Syria, we also condemn the repeated and morally reprehensible use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime and by Daesh. We call on the supporters of the regime to ensure compliance with its obligation to declare and dismantle remaining chemical weapons. We deplore the fact that Syria assumed the presidency of the Conference on Disarmament in May, given its consistent and flagrant disregard of international non-proliferation norms and agreements. We reaffirm our collective commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and call on all states to support the upcoming Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Special Conference of States Parties and to work together to strengthen the ability of the OPCW to promote the implementation of the Convention. We call upon those who have yet to do so to join the International Partnership Against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons. We call for credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance in Syria, facilitated by free and fair elections held to the highest international standards of transparency and accountability, with all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to participate.
7. We remain concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas and reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral actions that could escalate tensions and undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order. We urge all parties to pursue demilitarization of disputed features. We are committed to taking a strong stance against human rights abuse, human trafficking and corruption across the globe, especially as it impacts vulnerable populations, and we call upon the international community to take strong action against these abuses all over the world. We welcome the recent commitments made by Myanmar and we pledge to coordinate efforts to build lasting peace and support democratic transition in Myanmar, particularly in the context of the ongoing Rohingya crisis, to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access and the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees and displaced people. We are deeply concerned about the lack of respect for human rights and basic democratic principles in Venezuela, as well as the spiraling economic crisis and its humanitarian repercussions. We express our concern at the continuous deterioration of the situation in Yemen and renew our call for all parties to fully comply with international humanitarian law and human rights law.
8. Recognizing the threat Iran’s ballistic missile program poses to international peace and security, we call upon Iran to refrain from launches of ballistic missiles and all other activities which are inconsistent with UNSCR 2231 – including all annexes – and destabilizing for the region, and cease proliferation of missile technology. We are committed to permanently ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful, in line with its international obligations and commitments to never seek, develop or acquire a nuclear weapon. We condemn all financial support of terrorism including terrorist groups sponsored by Iran. We also call upon Iran to play a constructive role by contributing to efforts to counter terrorism and achieve political solutions, reconciliation and peace in the region.
9. We remain concerned about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially in the light of recent events. We support the resumption without delay of substantive peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians aimed at achieving a negotiated solution that ensures the peace and security for both parties. We stress the importance of addressing as soon as possible the dire and deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza strip.
10. Africa’s security, stability, and sustainable development are high priorities for us, and we reiterate our support for African-led initiatives, including at a regional level. We reiterate our commitment to work in partnership with the African continent, supporting the African Union Agenda 2063 in order to realize Africa’s potential. We will promote African capabilities to better prevent, respond to, and manage crisis and conflicts; and to strengthen democratic institutions. We reiterate our commitment to the stabilization, unity and democracy of Libya, which is key for the stability of the Mediterranean region and of Europe. We support the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Salamé in pursuing an inclusive political process founded on his Action Plan and we encourage all Libyan and regional actors to uphold their constructive engagement as outlined in the June 6, 2018 statement of the President of the Security Council on Libya. We support the efforts of the Presidency Council for Libya and the Libyan Government of National Accord to consolidate State institutions.

Working Together on Climate Change, Oceans and Clean Energy

1. A healthy planet and sustainable economic growth are mutually beneficial, and therefore, we are pursuing global efforts towards a sustainable and resilient future that creates jobs for our citizens. We firmly support the broad participation and leadership of young people, girls and women in promoting sustainable development. We collectively affirm our strong determination to achieve a clean environment, clean air, clean water and healthy soil. We commit to ongoing action to strengthen our collective energy security and demonstrate leadership in ensuring that our energy systems continue to drive sustainable economic growth. We recognise that each country may chart its own path to achieving a low-emission future. We look forward to adopting a common set of guidelines at UNFCCC COP 24.
2. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the European Union reaffirm their strong commitment to implement the Paris Agreement, through ambitious climate action; in particular through reducing emissions while stimulating innovation, enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening and financing resilience and reducing vulnerability; as well as ensuring a just transition, including increasing efforts to mobilize climate finance from a wide variety of sources. We discussed the key role of energy transitions through the development of market based clean energy technologies and the importance of carbon pricing, technology collaboration and innovation to continue advancing economic growth and protect the environment as part of sustainable, resilient and low-carbon energy systems; as well as financing adaptive capacity. We reaffirm the commitment that we have made to our citizens to reduce air and water pollution and our greenhouse gas emissions to reach a global carbon-neutral economy over the course of the second half of the century. We welcome the adoption by the UN General Assembly of a resolution titled Towards a Global Pact for the Environment and look forward to the presentation of a report by the Secretary General in the next General Assembly.
3. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the European Union will promote the fight against climate change through collaborative partnerships and work with all relevant partners, in particular all levels of government; local, Indigenous, remote coastal and small island communities; as well as with the private sector, international organizations and civil society to identify and assess policy gaps, needs and best practices. We recognize the contribution of the One Planet conferences to this collective effort.
4. The United States believes sustainable economic growth and development depends on universal access to affordable and reliable energy resources. It commits to ongoing action to strengthen the world’s collective energy security, including through policies that facilitates open, diverse, transparent, liquid and secure global markets for all energy sources. The United States will continue to promote energy security and economic growth in a manner that improves the health of the world’s oceans and environment, while increasing public-private investments in energy infrastructure and technology that advances the ability of countries to produce, transport, and use all available energy sources based on each country’s national circumstances. The United States will endeavour to work closely with other countries to help them access and use fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently and help deploy renewable and other clean energy sources, given the importance of energy access and security in their Nationally Determined Contributions. The United States believes in the key role of energy transitions through the development of market-based clean energy technologies and the importance of technology collaboration and innovation to continue advancing economic growth and protect the environment as part of sustainable, resilient, and clean energy systems. The United States reiterates its commitment to advancing sustainable economic growth, and underscores the importance of continued action to reduce air and water pollution.
5. Recognizing that healthy oceans and seas directly support the livelihoods, food security and economic prosperity of billions of people, we met with the heads of state or government of the Argentina, Bangladesh, Haiti, Jamaica, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Norway, Rwanda (Chair of the African Union), Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Vietnam, and the heads of the United Nations, the IMF, the World Bank and the OECD, to discuss concrete actions to protect the health of marine environments and ensure a sustainable use of marine resources as part of a renewed agenda to increase global biodiversity protection. We endorse the Charlevoix Blueprint for Healthy Oceans, Seas and Resilient Coastal Communities, and will improve oceans knowledge, promote sustainable oceans and fisheries, support resilient coasts and coastal communities and address ocean plastic waste and marine litter. Recognizing that plastics play an important role in our economy and daily lives but that the current approach to producing, using, managing and disposing of plastics and poses a significant threat to the marine environment, to livelihoods and potentially to human health, we the Leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the European Union endorse the G7 Ocean Plastics Charter.

Conclusion

1. We share the responsibility of working together to stimulate sustainable economic growth that benefits everyone, in particular, those most at risk of being left behind. We would like to thank our citizens, civil society, the Gender Equality Advisory Council, the Formal G7 Engagement Groups and other partners for their meaningful input to Canada’s presidency. We welcome the offer of the President of France to host our next Summit in 2019 and his pledge to continue G7 leadership on our common agenda.