The C7 proposes key issues for discussion and integration in a renewed G7 Open Societies statement.

In 2021, the G7 has adopted a Statement regarding the importance of the protection of Open Societies, anti-corruption and civic space. To strengthen the meaning and power of this promise, this year’s C7 Working Group proposed a renewed Open Societies Statement to be incorporated in the G7 Communiqué. With this, the G7 countries would ensure that they focus on priority issues requiring G7 action.

In light of the war in Ukraine and the severe threats to democracy all around the world, the Statement calls for immediate and determined action. According to Freedom House, only 2 in 10 people still live in a free country and several states have adopted restrictive laws to suppress protests. The Working Group in consultation with various coalitions and organisations developed key demands in nine areas. The Statement builds upon the 2021 Statement and presents concrete demands such as a commitment to participation of civil society in multilateral forums, the protection of human rights when it comes to the use of technology and security in the civic space, as well as the commitment towards gender equality and children’s rights.