Only a few hours before the opening of the G7 in Biarritz, the French President met civil society actors mobilized for the G7. French President, Emmanuel Macron, wished to hear the recommendations of these players who were given a central role in this G7 and ensure the launch of a certain number of initiatives to fight inequality and protect the planet which were prepared throughout this year of the French G7 Presidency.
Friday, 23 August was a day of dialogue and mobilization with the French President which took place in three phases:
- A morning of discussions with the members of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council, who submitted their recommendations to the Head of State and, at his request, presented him with a set of exemplary laws for women’s rights to inspire the international community. The Advisory Council is chaired by the Nobel Prize Winners Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege. The morning session took place in the presence of Marlène Schiappa, Minister of State for Gender Equality and the Fight against Discrimination.
- A lunch with the heads of international non-governmental organizations who gave their main messages on human rights and democracy, issues of international solidarity, the climate and protection of the environment to the G7 leaders. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Elisabeth Borne, Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition, also participated in the lunch.
- An afternoon session specifically for the G7 engagement groups and businesses who are taking action to reduce inequalities and protect the planet. During this session, the G7 engagement groups presented their tangible recommendations to the French President. These discussions were also an opportunity to finalize the creation of coalitions of businesses who are working for inclusive growth and to reduce their environmental impact in the textiles, maritime transport and refrigeration technology industries. This session took place in the presence of Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy and Finance, Muriel Penicaud, Minister of Labour, and Brune Poirson, Minister of State attached to the Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition.
The day was the culmination of a French G7 Presidency which has made the choice, over the last year, to closely involve civil society players in all stages leading up to the Biarritz Summit, from the ministerial meetings to the sherpa meetings and the citizen dialogue of 2 July 2019.