What we hear of the G7 is often limited to the few days of the leaders’ Summit, which in 2019 held in Biarritz, from 24 to 26 August. But the G7 involves work by far more than just the leaders of the member countries.

Experts have been getting together, civil society representatives committing and forming working groups, and G7 Ministers meeting throughout the year.

The “sherpas”, the personal diplomatic representatives of the leaders, have been particularly active. They have been liaising all year to prepare the ground by representing the words and goals of their leaders.

Priority

Sherpa and Sous-Sherpa meetings

The Leaders of the G7 members already have tight schedules. So to represent them and their interests in every phase of G7 preparation, they each count on their personal representatives (known as Sherpa and Sous-Sherpa).