//
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: DEVELOPMENT AND DEBT RELIEF //
G7 PERFORMANCE ON DEVELOPMENT, 1975–2024
100
100
75
75
50
50
25
25
0
0
Compliance (%)
Conclusions (% words)
Commitments (%)
Compliance (%)
Conclusions (% words)
Commitments (%)
“The Kananaskis Summit offers a critical opportunity for G7 members to demonstrate accountability and reinvigorate global efforts to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”
// SONJA DOBSON Sonja Dobson is pursuing a PhD in peace and conflict studies at the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago. She holds a master’s degree in conflict studies and human rights from Utrecht University, and a bachelor of arts and science in African studies and political science from the University of Toronto. Sonja has worked with the G7, G20 and BRICS Research Groups since 2015, and served as co-chair of summit studies for the G20 Research Group in 2022.
RECOMMENDATIONS Higher development compliance comes from many low-cost actions under the leaders’ direct control. First, commitments that explicitly mention ‘sustainable’ development, including the SDGs, averaged 93% compliance. Second, commitments that mention ‘development’, including those referring to growth or a specific industry, averaged 90% compliance. So did commitments with a one-year timetable for delivery. Third, commitments on financing or funding, excluding commitments solely about aid and development assistance, secured 88% compliance. Fourth, commitments referencing finance ministers had 87% compliance. Fifth, higher compliance came when G7 development ministers’ meetings were held before the summit. Of the 11 years with such meetings, nine meetings came before the summit, and leaders’ development
commitments averaged 81% compliance. The two post-summit meetings averaged only 65%. Lower rates of compliance come when commitments referred to Africa, debt relief and aid and assistance, at 77%, 75% and 74%, respectively. CONCLUSION Thus, to increase compliance, G7 leaders at the 2025 Kananaskis Summit should: 1. Focus on commitments on financing and funding specific to sustainable development initiatives; 4. Commit to fully implementing the HIPC Initiative and debt relief for highly indebted poor countries; and 5. Reinvest in foreign aid, amassing the financial resources required to achieve the SDGs. 2. Add short, one-year timetables; 3. Connect development and finance commitments;
X-TWITTER @SAT_Dobson www.g7.utoronto.ca
81 globalgovernanceproject.org
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