Britain invites G-7 leaders to Cornish resort for June summit

London

BRITAIN announced plans to hold the first in-person meeting of the Group of Seven (G-7) for nearly two years in June, inviting the leaders of major developed economies to a picturesque seaside village to discuss rebuilding from the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he wants to use Britain's presidency of the G-7 to forge a consensus that the global economy must recover from the pandemic in a pro-free trade and sustainable way.

"Coronavirus is doubtless the most destructive force we have seen for generations and the greatest test of the modern world order we have experienced," he said in a statement. "It is only right that we approach the challenge of building back better by uniting with a spirit of openness to create a better future."

Britain has suffered badly during the Covid-19 crisis, with the highest death toll in Europe of more than 86,000 people.

But, while a third wave of the virus causes more than 1,000 deaths per day, the country is leading the way on vaccinations having been the first in the world to authorise their use, and hopes to have much of the population protected within months.

Last year's G-7 meeting, due to be hosted by US President Donald Trump, was cancelled due to the pandemic, meaning the leaders of Britain, Germany, France, the United States, Italy, Japan, the European Union and Canada have not met in person since the 2019 meeting in Biarritz, France.

Mr Johnson has also invited Australia, India and South Korea to attend.

The summit will take place in the tiny resort of Carbis Bay in Cornwall, south-west England - an area now most famous for its beaches and surfing but also home to fishing fleets and once an important mining area.

"Two hundred years ago, Cornwall's tin and copper mines were at the heart of the UK's industrial revolution and this summer, Cornwall will again be the nucleus of great global change and advancement," Mr Johnson said. REUTERS