Civil 7 (C7) is an official engagement group of the Group of Seven (G7) that brings together civil society organizations and actors, enabling them to engage in dialogue with G7 countries. It provides a space to amplify the voices of global civil society and present recommendations on key international issues.
The 2026 G7 Summit will take place in a particularly unstable international context. The multiplication of armed conflicts, enduring humanitarian crises, challenges to international law, as well as the rise of authoritarian regimes, have profoundly destabilized global order.
In this context, in 2026, Coordination SUD, platform for French international solidarity NGOs, takes on the C7 secretariat. This engagement group aims to bring forward the concerns and priorities of civil society, particularly those of countries outside the G7, including the Global South, ensuring that they are considered in G7 decision-making processes.
What is the goal of Civil 7?
The goal of Civil 7 (C7) is to engage in dialogue with the French government and the heads of state of G7 countries, to ensure that civil society perspectives are reflected in G7 summit decisions. As part of an inclusive process, thematic working groups develop policy recommendations on key themes of global importance, which will then be delivered to G7 representatives. One main priority of the C7 is to amplify the perspectives of civil society partners, including those from the Global South, as these actors are particularly affected by decisions taken by G7 leaders.
What is the role of the G7?
The G7 is an informal political forum, composed of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, the United States and Canada, as well as the European Union, which participates as an observer.
Each year, G7 leaders meet at a summit, which will be held this year in Évian, France, to discuss and coordinate their positions on urgent global and regional issues.
To prepare these summits and ensure follow-up, high-level representatives known as “sherpas” support the process, while ministers meet throughout the year for targeted discussions during ministerial meetings.
In 2026, France holds the G7 presidency, succeeding Canada, and will guide the work of the G7 throughout the year.
In a globalized world that can no longer be divided between developed and developing countries, the legitimacy and relevance of the G7 can be questioned. While the exclusivity of this forum may be challenged, the current context of multiple crises highlights how essential international coordination remains. From this perspective, the G7 provides a space for discussion and action on key structural issues.
What is the relationship between the C7 and the G7?
As part of the G7 framework and to ensure the representation of diverse segments of society, official engagement groups have been created to facilitate dialogue between governments and non-state actors.
The C7 is one of the official engagement groups of the G7, alongside Women 7, Labour 7, Pride 7, Think Tank 7, Urban 7, Business 7, and Youth 7. Through exchanges with G7 representatives, these engagement groups develop recommendations on major international issues, with the aim of placing them on the G7 political agenda.
What is the role of the steering committees?
The C7 operates through two steering committees:
The International Steering Committee brings together civil society platforms from G7 countries, as well as Nigeria, India and Brazil. It is responsible for decision-making at the global level and meets at regular intervals to coordinate the C7’s work, outputs, and actions internationally.
The French Steering Committee coordinates national actions with French civil society organizations and public authorities. It is also at the national level that thematic working groups are formed, in cooperation with the International Steering Committee.
Together, the steering committees provide overall strategic guidance, organize the C7 Summit, and ensure global coordination, including with other engagement groups.
What is the role of the Working Groups?
The Working Groups are independent spaces for discussion, coordinated with the steering committees and focused on key priorities that shape the C7’s positions. All participants are free to share ideas and inputs constructively to advance the group’s objectives. The various sections of the communiqué are based on the work produced by these groups.
How are the key priorities determined?
The priorities of international civil society are determined through consultations conducted within the French and international Steering Committees.
What role does Coordination SUD play in the C7 process?
Coordination SUD is the national coordination body for French international solidarity NGOs. Founded in 1994 under French law (1901), Coordination SUD now brings together 188 NGOs involved in emergency humanitarian aid, development, environmental protection, human rights, advocacy, and education for global citizenship and international solidarity.
In 2026, Coordination SUD serves as the secretariat for the C7. In this capacity it coordinates advocacy and relations with the G7 representatives at the international and French levels, drawing on the C7 communiqué to convey the positions of civil society. Coordination SUD also helps to strengthen the link between the steering committees and the thematic working groups and facilitates structured dialogue with French public authorities and the various engagement groups.
By supporting the G7 presidency, Coordination SUD also supports the development and promotion of policy recommendations put forward by international civil society.