A transformative agenda for the G7 - Recommendations from UK civil society

Civil society urges government to pursue an ambitious G7 agenda which commits to a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future for allIn a briefing entitled, A transformative agenda for the G7: recommendations from UK civil society, NGOs set out 7 priorities where they believe urgent action is required if world leaders are to protect the rights of the most marginalised and build a more inclusive, resilient and stainable future for all.Priorities areas for the Civil Society 7 (C7) include healthcare, education, climate and environment, sustainable economic recovery, civic space, food security and nutrition, and conflict.Stephanie Draper, CEO of Bond, the UK network for organisations working in international development and official Civil Society 7 (C7) lead said:“This G7 will be like no other. The global pandemic, climate change, conflict and inequality have pushed billions back into poverty and undone progress towards a healthier, safer and more sustainable world. We have seen firsthand that crises hurt the most vulnerable hardest, regardless of where you live in the world - be it health, jobs, education or food. These global challenges require a global response.”“Even the UK aid budget, a lifeline to millions of people around the world and a manifesto commitment, is being savagely cut back with the first casualty of these cuts being the people living in Yemen which is on the verge of the world’s worst famine in decades.”“Leaders must define how we will emerge from this pandemic and tackle the most pressing issues around the world today. People around the world need hope that there won't be a return to the past, but instead a shift towards a better future where we put self-interest aside and work together to build a sustainable, inclusive, equitable, safer and resilient world.”The recommendations were developed in consultation with a wide range of international organisations and issue-specific networks and include:Priority 1. HealthNGOs are calling for G7 leaders to urgently invest in stronger healthcare systems, both in their own country and globally, ensuring health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene services are accessible and affordable to everyone, and resilient to future pandemics and diseases. The Covid-19 pandemic has now led to over 2 million deaths globally, exposing serious weaknesses in health systems and the barriers people face trying to access health care.