Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will join at least 12 other heads of state and government invited by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to participate in next week’s Group of Seven (G7) summit, officials said on Friday.
The extensive guest list underscores Italy’s ambition to expand the scope of the G7, which traditionally includes the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union.
“The G7 brings together countries that share fundamental principles and standards, but it is not closed off like a fortress. It opens up to the world,” said a senior official who declined to be named.
Diplomats had already announced a list of many expected attendees at the June 13-15 gathering, including leaders from India, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Turkey, Algeria, Kenya, and Mauritania. All these countries have now confirmed their attendance, marking the first overseas trip for India’s Narendra Modi since his recent election victory and for South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa after losing an overall majority this month.
Highlighting concerns over the Middle East situation, officials confirmed on Friday that both the Saudi crown prince and Jordan’s King Abdullah would attend discussions in Borgo Egnazia, an exclusive resort in the southeastern Puglia region.
This is believed to be the first time a leader from Saudi Arabia, a country often accused of human rights abuses, has been invited to a G7 summit.
“We do not always have the same approach, but it is through dialogue and by understanding different needs that results are achieved,” the Italian official said.
