The June 15-17 G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains will focus on the Iran agreement, the war in Ukraine, global economic imbalances and efforts to secure critical minerals outside China’s dominant supply chains.US President Donald Trump is due to attend the gathering after skipping last year’s G7 summit in Canada early.

French officials said his participation was important as allies seek coordination on major international issues.G7 leaders have been affected by Washington’s recent foreign policy decisions, which have reshaped debates over the Middle East, global trade and diplomatic relations.

Trump is scheduled to meet Middle Eastern leaders and hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the summit. The meeting with Zelensky comes as Ukraine continues to seek military support while Russian advances have slowed.G7 members are expected to seek details of the US-Iran agreement.

A memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be signed in Switzerland on Friday, though the full terms were not immediately disclosed.Trump said the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments that Iran had effectively closed for months, would reopen on Friday and that the US blockade of Iranian ports would end.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, would end permanently from Monday night. Iranian officials said broader negotiations, including sanctions relief and discussions on its nuclear program, would follow during a 60-day ceasefire period.

The United Arab Emirates, along with mediators Qatar and Egypt, will also participate in the G7 discussions.The summit is also a major diplomatic moment for French President Emmanuel Macron, who is hosting the meeting during the final phase of his presidency.

France has used its G7 leadership to push discussions on global economic imbalances, describing the issue as a shared challenge involving China’s production capacity, US consumption and European investment levels.Brazil, India, Kenya and South Korea have been invited to join the talks, while Macron has encouraged China to increase domestic consumption.

China was not included when leaders from major industrial nations first gathered at the Rambouillet summit near Paris, at a time when the country was still recovering from political upheaval and had a much smaller role in the world economy.

Decades of economic growth have transformed China into the world’s second-largest economy and a central player in trade, technology, supply chains and climate policy, prompting questions over whether the G7 can effectively address global challenges without Beijing at the table.

John Kirton, a University of Toronto specialist on the G7, said China’s transformation from a minor economic actor into a major global power had led some analysts to question whether the group would benefit from Chinese membership.

However, the G7 has historically defined itself as a gathering of democracies. Its founding declaration said members represented open democratic societies committed to individual liberty and social progress, a standard that China under both Mao Zedong and President Xi Jinping has not met, according to critics of Beijing’s political system.

China remains a major focus of G7 discussions because of its trade surplus, control of critical minerals, technological advances, military expansion and position as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

French President Emmanuel Macron, hosting the summit in the Alpine town of Evian-les-Bains, has placed discussions on trade relations with China on the agenda as G7 nations examine concerns over rising Chinese exports, including electric vehicles and industrial goods.

Cédric Dupont, an international politics specialist at the Geneva Graduate Institute, said China could become an issue that brings G7 members together despite recent disagreements over issues including the Iran conflict.

Beijing has criticised the G7’s limited membership in the past, describing it as a Western-led grouping, but China’s Foreign Ministry said ahead of the summit that the organisation should promote cooperation rather than division.

Analyst Wang Zichen said Beijing viewed the G7 as closely connected to US-led Western influence and as a forum where China is increasingly discussed as a strategic challenge.

Some analysts argue that admitting China could weaken the group’s unity because of differences over governance, international security and relations with countries such as Russia and Iran.

Chris Alden of the London School of Economics and Political Science said expanding the G7 to include China could make it harder for the group to operate effectively.

The G7’s previous attempt at expansion has also shaped the debate. Russia joined the group in 1998 but was suspended in 2014 after its annexation of Crimea, ending its participation in what had become the G8 format.

Donald Trump has previously argued that excluding Russia was a mistake, but some G7 analysts say the experience has made members more cautious about admitting countries that do not share the group’s political framework.

S President Donald Trump is expected to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France this week, with discussions set to focus on geopolitical crises and their impact on trade, energy and global supply chains, Egypt’s presidency said on Sunday.

The Egyptian presidency said El-Sisi would hold several meetings with world leaders during the summit, including a bilateral meeting with Trump.

The talks will take place as leaders gather in Evian from June 15 to 17 for a summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, with the Middle East conflict among the main issues on the agenda.

The French presidency said Macron had invited leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to discuss regional developments linked to the war in the Middle East.

The G7 meeting comes after the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran in late February, escalating tensions in the region and increasing pressure on international energy routes.

Egyptian officials said El-Sisi’s meetings would address efforts to resolve international crises and manage their economic consequences, including disruptions affecting trade flows, energy markets and supply chains.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will not attend the summit because of prior commitments, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The G7 includes leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, along with invited representatives from countries including Brazil and India.

Macron was scheduled to arrive in Evian on Sunday evening, while Trump and other leaders were expected on Monday.

The summit agenda includes discussions on ending the Iran conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route affected by regional tensions

World leaders at this year’s General Assembly highlighted the need for ambitious selection criteria, transparency, and a process that reflects both geographical diversity and gender balance. The move represents not only a symbolic step toward inclusivity but also a tangible enhancement of decision-making processes within the United Nations. Female leadership at this level is widely seen as a catalyst for broader representation, stronger accountability, and more equitable governance across international institutions.

Regional balance is expected to play a key role in the selection process. Traditionally, the secretary-generalship rotates among global regions, and while Guterres’ term marked a period for Eastern Europe, Latin America is widely anticipated to produce the next candidate. Several countries in the region are promoting candidates who bring extensive experience in peace, climate justice, human rights, and sustainable development, demonstrating the growing capability and global reach of female leadership.

Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, recognized internationally for her work in human rights and development, has emerged as a strong contender, garnering broad support from regional leaders. Her potential appointment reflects a commitment to bridging divides between regions, promoting dialogue between nations, and reinforcing the U.N.’s mission to foster global cooperation.

The selection process, conducted by the 15-member Security Council and confirmed by the General Assembly, has evolved in recent years to enhance transparency and inclusivity. Candidate nominations are now circulated to all member states, ensuring a more participatory process that prioritizes competence, experience, and global representation. Experts emphasize that this historic appointment will strengthen the U.N.’s credibility, signal a renewed commitment to gender equality, and inspire young leaders worldwide.

As the U.N. prepares to elect its next secretary-general in 2026, the global community is watching closely. The potential for a woman to lead the organization marks a pivotal moment in international governance, setting a precedent for future generations and reaffirming the U.N.’s role as a forward-looking institution that embraces diversity, leadership, and sustainable global progress.