Tajani chairs the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Reggio Calabria

The G7 Trade Ministers' Meeting (16-17 July 2024) kicks off in Calabria. It will be chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani.

Minister Tajani stated: "In these two days we will bring to Villa San Giovanni and Reggio Calabria the Ministers of the G7 and of the guest countries that together account for 54% of the world's GDP: Calabria and Southern Italy will be the world's economic capital for two days. There are four central topics we will address, which are crucial for the future of our economies: strengthening the multilateral trading system through the reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO); ensuring a level playing field in global markets; encouraging environmental sustainability in trade; improving resilience and economic security. These are the priority issues at the heart of the Italian Presidency's agenda".

Besides these topics, the proceedings - which will be held in Villa San Giovanni - will focus on the situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea - a strategic trade route for Italy, in particular - as well as on the Indo-Pacific, a key region for global trade and supply chains. In addition to the Ministers of the G7 countries, Ministers from important partner countries such as Brazil, South Korea, India, New Zealand, Turkey and Vietnam, together with the WTO's Director General and the Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), will be involved.

The proceedings will begin with a meeting of the G7 Trade Ministers with representatives from the G7 Industry (B7), in which business leaders will present to government representatives their vision and priorities for promoting competitiveness and rules-based fair trade; strengthening economies, as well as global supply chains, in the face of increasing geopolitical instability; and maximising the benefits of Artificial Intelligence.

During the Meeting, the G7 Ministers will travel to the Port of Gioia Tauro, Italy's leading port in terms of cargo traffic, where the Italian humanitarian initiative "Food for Gaza" will be presented. In particular, a scanner such as the one that recently left for Cyprus - to enhance and speed up security checks on containers with humanitarian aid destined for Gaza via the maritime humanitarian corridor centred on the island - will be presented.

Minister Tajani's closing press conference will take place on Wednesday 17 July.

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