Think 7
Since2026 T7: Cooperating in a brutal world
Think7 (T7) is the official G7 engagement group bringing together leading think tanks and research centres to provide practical, evidence-based recommendations to G7 decision-makers. In 2026, IDDRI and the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) are jointly coordinating the T7 process for the French G7 Presidency.
Against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and rapidly shifting alliances, fostering dialogue has become both more difficult and more needed. In this context, engaging among G7 countries and beyond is essential to maintain channels of exchange and rebuild trust in an increasingly fragmented world.
This year’s T7, as both a forum for expert inputs in the G7 and a space for inclusive dialogue with partner countries, is bringing together around 50 organisations from G7 members plus Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey, Kenya, Switzerland and Spain.
T7 structure, topics and timeline
The T7 is structured around four pillars that respond to the French G7 Presidency, two managed by IDDRI and two by ECFR. These pillars comprise thematic task forces that will carry the work.
- PILLAR 1: COORDINATING NEW INDUSTRIAL POLICIES (IDDRI)
- TF1: Secure, responsible and equitable critical minerals value chains
- TF2: Aligning investment agreements with sustainable development goals.
- PILLAR 2: FINANCING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IDDRI)
- TF1: Towards a more effective and integrated Public Development Bank system
- TF2: Enhancing insurability against natural disasters
- TF3: Standardising and strengthening accountability for biodiversity finance
- ECONOMIC SECURITY (ECFR)
- TF1: Economic statecraft
- TF2: Strengthening collaboration among G7 and like-minded partners
- INNOVATION/TECH (ECFR)
- TF1: Innovation and long-term investment for growth
- TF2: AI for middle powers
The T7 will deliver short solution papers (one per Task Force) with practical recommendations and a final communiqué by March 2026 to inform G7 discussions in the run up to the G7 Summit of 15-17 June in Evian. Documents will be made available on this page that will be updated throughout the year.
We know that G7 work is a very ambitious task, and that we will definitely need the support of civil society, non-governmental institutions and, not least, think tanks, as they are the ones most likely to bring forward ideas that we may not yet have.
Task forces: a global network of expertise
Pillar 1—Coordinating new industrial policies
In response to ongoing transitions and the opportunities they present, major economies have revived industrial policies and are competing to capture markets, jobs, and value creation. This often involves policy instruments that can be destabilising both domestically and internationally. A certain degree of coordination among major economies around key aspects of these industrial policies would help address the imbalances. Two areas stand out under this pillar for their importance and the role that G7 with partners could play:
Secure, responsible, and equitable value chains for critical minerals
Strengthening coherence between investment agreements and sustainable development commitments
Pillar 2—Financing development
This agenda builds on French initiatives launched at the Paris Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in June 2023, including the Paris Pact for People and the Planet (4P). It holds strong potential for bringing G7 and non-G7 countries together around resource mobilisation and effective use. Three areas in particular could progress under this year’s G7:
Towards a more effective and integrated Public Development Bank system
Enhancing insurability against natural disasters
Standardising and strengthening accountability for biodiversity finance
Contacts
- Céline Kauffmann, Chief Programmes Officer
- Damien Barchiche, Director, Sustainable Development Governance Programme
- Carine Antunes, Senior Communication Officer
With the financial support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs