G7 ends talks with criticism of China, Russia, Iran

The Group of Seven wealthy democracies on Wednesday wrapped up their first in-person meeting in more than two years, accusing China of human rights abuses and a crackdown on pro-democracy figures, while voicing fears about Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Foreign ministers from hosts Britain, plus the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan also called on Tehran to release foreign and dual nationals they said were being held arbitrarily in Iranian jails.

They threatened the Myanmar junta which staged a coup in February with fresh sanctions, in a wide-ranging final communique covering the world's most pressing geopolitical issues, including climate change and post-pandemic recovery.

The ministers, who met in central London under tight coronavirus restrictions, committed to financially support the vaccine-sharing programme, Covax.

But there was no immediate announcement on fresh funding to improve greater access to vaccines, despite repeated calls for the G7 to do more to help poorer countries.

This week's meeting sets the tone for the G7 leaders' meeting in Cornwall, southwest England, next month, at which US President Joe Biden makes his international debut.

"We recognise we are meeting in an exceptional and fast-changing context," the leaders said in a final communique totalling more than 12,000 words.

"We commit to working together, with partner countries and within the multilateral system, to shape a cleaner, freer, fairer and more secure future for the planet.

"We resolve to keep working on tangible issues and outcomes together and in partnership with many others."

The G7 members' top diplomats reserved their strongest criticism for rising China, urging the Asian giant to abide by its obligations under international and national law.

They said they were "deeply concerned" by human rights violations and abuses against the minority Uyghur Muslim population in Xinjiang province and in Tibet, and urged an end to the targeting of rights protesters in Hong Kong.

But it held the door open for future cooperation with Beijing, adding: "We look for opportunities to work with China to promote regional and global peace, security and prosperity."

G7 leaders underscored a need for a common stance to tackle global threats, in contrast to the increasing unilateralism of recent years and retreat from global institutions, including under former US president Donald Trump.

They called out Russia for what they said was "irresponsible and destabilising behaviour" by amassing troops on the Ukrainian border, "malicious cyber-activity", disinformation, and malign intelligence activity.

"We... will continue to bolster our collective capabilities and those of our partners to address and deter Russian behaviour that is threatening the rules-based international order," they said.

G7 countries have slapped sanctions on military generals who deposed the democratically elected leader in Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi.

But they warned they were ready to "take further steps if the military does not reverse its course".

Campaigners have urged the G7 to step up efforts to tackle glaring inequalities in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, as Western countries ramp up vaccination drives and reopen their economies.

More than 1.2 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered globally, but fewer than one percent have been given in the least developed countries.

With support from most wealthy nations, the Covax programme, backed by the World Health Organization, is meant to share vaccines with the poorest nations.

But rich countries have also effectively elbowed out Covax in the early stages, striking their own deals with drug manufacturers, while pharmaceutical giants stall on making the drug patents available to all to tackle virus surges.

Global charity giant Oxfam criticised the countries for not taking action on patents.

"With a massive shortfall in vaccine doses already crippling Covax, it is disappointing G7 leaders still refuse to use their powers to remove the legal barriers that are stopping many more qualified manufacturers across the world from making vaccines," Anna Marriott, Oxfam's Health Policy Manager, said in a statement.

Britain's former prime minister Gordon Brown has said far more is needed and urged the G7 to provide the bulk of $60 billion that he says is needed over the next two years to vaccinate the whole world and aid economic recovery.

The G7 said it recognised the need for an "inclusive and sustainable recovery" and backed "all existing" mechanisms for vaccine access, including through Covax.

But there was no extra funding announced. Instead, ministers "encouraged all partners to increase their support as the next critical step in controlling the pandemic and strengthening health security".

Copyright AFP. All rights reserved.