West to welcome the world
Cornwall will host world leaders at G7 summit in June Prime Minister describes it as the ‘perfect location’ Global publicity promises £50million boost for the West
THE eyes of the world will be on the Westcountry when Cornwall hosts global leaders for the G7 summit this summer.
The major three-day international event will see leaders from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as representatives of the EU and invited leaders from Australia, India and South Korea, attend.
Announcing Cornwall would host the G7, which represents the world’s leading industrialised nations, Prime Minister
Boris Johnson said: “Cornwall is the perfect location for such a crucial summit.”
Organisations across the Westcountry have welcomed the news, pledging an event that will leave a lasting social and economic legacy. Visit Cornwall estimates the total economic impact could total £50million. The event will host world leaders at Carbis Bay, with neighbouring St Ives and other sites in Cornwall, such as Falmouth, welcoming international delegates and media.
CORNWALL has been chosen to host the international G7 summit in June in what is likely to be a landmark first meeting between world leaders since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Organisations across Cornwall have welcomed the news, pledging an event that will leave a lasting social and economic legacy.
The major three-day international summit will see leaders from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as representatives of the EU and invited leaders from Australia, India and South Korea, attend. It could also be Joe Biden’s first trip to the UK as President of the US.
The event will host world leaders at Carbis Bay, with neighbouring St Ives and other sites in Cornwall, such as Falmouth, hosting international delegates and media.
The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken of the upcoming event, describing it as “a crucial summit”.
Taking place from June 11-13, it will be the 46th meeting of the leaders of the G7, which represents the world’s leading industrialised nations. The 2020 event, set to take place in the United States, was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Johnson said: “As the most prominent grouping of democratic countries, the G7 has long been the catalyst for decisive international action to tackle the greatest challenges we face. From cancelling developing world debt to our universal condemnation of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, the world has looked to the G7 to apply our shared values and diplomatic might to create a more open and prosperous planet.
“Coronavirus is doubtless the most destructive force we have seen for generations and the greatest test of the modern world order we have experienced. It is only right that we approach the challenge of building back better by uniting with a spirit of openness to create a better future.
“Cornwall is the perfect location for such a crucial summit. Two hundred years ago Cornwall’s tin and copper mines were at the heart of the UK’s industrial revolution and this summer Cornwall will again be the nucleus of great global change and advancement. I’m very much looking forward to welcoming world leaders to this great region and country.”
Julian German, leader of Cornwall Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of Cornwall and the UK on the world stage, and to build our strength and prosperity at home.
“For those reasons we are determined that this event delivers a lasting legacy for our residents, inspires our young people and shows how we can play our part in bringing the world together after the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic – and bringing together all parts of the UK together, leaving no-one and nowhere behind.
“We want a lasting legacy that maximises inward investment, translating our moment on the global stage into trade. A legacy that helps Cornwall bounce forward and make its full contribution to the country’s ambitions in areas like space and satellites, floating offshore wind and other sources of clean energy, and globally significant geo-resources including lithium to power our future.”
The Carbis Bay Estate will provide the summit venue with world leaders staying at the Tregenna Castle Resort. The purpose of the G7 is to bring together the advanced economies of the world to influence global trends and tackle issues. In recent years, the summit has strengthened international economic and security policy, progressed climate change and gender equality agendas and supported disarmament programmes.
Organisers say contingencies are in place to respond to public health advice and ensure the summit is Covid-safe.
Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, of Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “I am delighted that Cornwall will be hosting this landmark event for the United Kingdom in an area that is not only one of the safest in the country, but also combines breathtaking scenery and innovative businesses with exceptional local hospitality.
“The event will be a real boost for our communities and especially our young people. It provides an opportunity for all my colleagues within Devon and Cornwall Police to demonstrate our operational excellence and world class policing skills on a global stage.
“We are excited to be playing our part working with and supporting our partners to deliver a safe and
Cornwall is the perfect location for such a crucial summit PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON
secure G7 summit. We have been preparing for this event for several months, including speaking with colleagues who have managed similar events, so we can ensure that we continue to effectively serve our local communities in the run up to, during and after the event.”
Visit Cornwall estimates a total economic impact of the summit for the county will be in the region of £50million, including both the immediate benefits of the summit and related events and projected tourism growth over the next five years.
Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said: “Cornwall has been voted the best holiday region in the UK for 10 out of the last 11 years in the British Travel Awards but is little known to many countries around the world.
“The G7 leaders’ summit will shine a spotlight on our very special place and the worldwide exposure is promotion we could never buy. It will not only showcase the beauty of Cornwall but give us the opportunity to communicate our heritage, culture and the connections to each country which will help drive growth in international visitors over the next decade.”
A Government spokesperson said: “As a powerhouse for green innovation, Cornwall is an ideal location for global discussions on building back better from the coronavirus crisis. The summit is an opportunity to show the crucial role that rural areas like Cornwall will play in the decarbonised, digitised world of tomorrow.”