LEADERS from seven of the biggest world economies met at the 45th G7 summit to discuss current issues, with French President Macron putting climate change and environmental issues at the heart of the summit.

It was Boris Johnson's first appearance on the world stage after becoming Prime Minister. Here's everything you need to know about the summit...

2 The G7 leaders look up as they sit down for fresh talks in Biarritz, France, in 2019 Credit: Instagram

What is the G7?

Also known as the Group of Seven, these countries are seven of the largest economies of the world.

Together, they represent more than 62 per cent of the global net wealth ($280trillion).

The group was founded in the early 1970s as the seven countries discussed concerns about the collapse of the oil industry.

Since then, 43 summits have been held across the globe as members discuss everything from the environment to the economy.

The group was previously known as the G8 and counted Russia among its members, but Russia has been excluded since annexing the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in early 2014.

2 Canada hosted the 44th meeting of the G7 leaders in 2018

Which countries are members?

The seven members are:

Canada

France

Germany

Italy

Japan

United Kingdom

United States

How often are summits held?

Summits are held annually, and hosted on a rotation basis by the group's members.

The 2018 summit was hosted by Canada in Quebec from June 8-9.

The 45th G7 summit was from August 24-26, 2019, in Biarritz in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.

What does the group do?

The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal grouping of seven of the world’s advanced economies, as well as the EU and European Commission.

It offers the leaders of these nations the chance to come together and tackle the most challenging global issues of the time.

In the last 40 years, the G7 claims to have "strengthened security policy, mainstreamed climate change and supported disarmament programmes".

In 2019, the UK became the first major economy to pledge to cut fossil-fuel emissions to zero by 2050.

What was on this year's agenda?

On the agenda for the 2019 summit was the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, the European-backed nuclear deal with Iran currently opposed by President Trump, and the unrest that continues to unfold in Hong Kong.

The meeting was Boris Johnson's first major appearance on the world stage since he became Prime Minister in July.

It was an opportunity to acquaint himself with world leaders ahead of the UK's EU exit and to discuss alternatives to the current exit deal with EU leaders.

Trump clashed with the other leaders after requesting for Russia to be brought back in.

Senior UK government officials said Johnson was adamant Russia shouldn’t be allowed back - not only because of the Crimea but the Salisbury attack on the Skripals.

The group agreed a down payment of £18million for ongoing wildfires in the Amazon.

Johnson also held a bilateral meeting with President Trump to discuss the relationship between their two countries.

The PM revealed a post-Brexit US trade deal could be done in a year.

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What criticisms have been made of the G7?

G7 gatherings tend to attract thousands of protesters, and it is protested by thousands every year.

In 2019, water cannons and tear-gas was used to disperse protesters.

Thousands of anti-globalisation activists, Basque separatists and 'yellow vest' protesters joined forces to march on the summit.

US protesters are prominent in a camp set up on the border between Spain and France.

In 2018, protest groups in Quebec focused on global trade, the environment, migration, aboriginal rights and a number of other issues.

A coalition organised "a mass demonstration against the G7, capitalism, patriarchy, colonialism, racism and borders".

Many protesters claim the G7 - which has no representative from any African, Russian or Middle Eastern nation - is completely outdated.

Protest groups also use the worldwide platform as a stage to lobby and campaign on issues that are important to them.

G7 pledges £18m to help battle Amazon fires, amid row with Brazilian President Bolsonaro

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