Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to the G7 Leaders’ Summit, as world leaders respond to a major diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that an agreement has been reached to end the conflict with Iran.
Trump revealed Sunday that a deal had been secured and said he had authorized an end to the U.S. blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. However, he later indicated that the strategically vital waterway would not fully reopen until Friday, when the agreement is expected to be formally signed.
Speaking before departing for France on Monday, Carney said the G7 summit would provide an opportunity for leaders to discuss how the international community can help reinforce the progress made through the agreement.
In a joint statement released ahead of the summit, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom welcomed the announcement, describing it as “a moment of opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilise the global economy.”
The leaders emphasized the importance of quickly finalizing negotiations and implementing the agreement, pledging support for efforts to secure a lasting settlement. They also called for the urgent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and committed to supporting defensive maritime operations, including mine-clearing missions and efforts to reassure commercial shipping.
The statement reiterated that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon and indicated a willingness to work alongside the United States, Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency to ensure compliance. Leaders also signalled that sanctions relief could be considered in exchange for verifiable steps by Tehran to curb its nuclear program.
Canada separately reaffirmed its support for a durable ceasefire, stressing the need for safe and uninterrupted passage through the Strait of Hormuz while addressing concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The Middle East conflict is expected to dominate discussions at the G7 summit, alongside continued support for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to participate in summit meetings focused on European security and the ongoing war with Russia.
On Monday, Carney is expected to meet with António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen before joining fellow leaders for discussions on geopolitical and economic challenges.
The summit will also bring together leaders from Brazil, India, Kenya and South Korea, while trade issues remain high on the agenda. Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is expected to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of the gathering.
Hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, this year’s summit will focus heavily on economic imbalances, international security and the growing influence of artificial intelligence.
Carney has indicated that AI governance, regulation and accountability will be key discussion topics. He has also pointed to online safety, particularly protections for children, as an area where Canada intends to take a leadership role.
The Liberal government recently introduced legislation that would require social media companies to restrict access for users under 16 and regulate AI chatbots. Similar measures are being considered or implemented in several countries, including Australia, Britain, France and South Korea.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that his government is also exploring restrictions on social media access for children under 16, arguing that stronger safeguards are needed to protect young people online.
As leaders gather in France, Carney has framed the summit as an opportunity to help shape a rapidly evolving global order. He argued that countries can no longer rely on a single institution or nation to solve international challenges and must instead build new partnerships capable of addressing issues ranging from security and trade to artificial intelligence and child safety.
The G7 includes Canada, France, the United States, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy, with the European Union also participating in summit discussions.
