U7+ Alliance recognised as an official G7 engagement group

Seven years on from its inception, the U7+ Alliance has been formally recognised as an official G7 Engagement Group. Following the announcement, a number of university presidents from the Alliance joined the French President, Emmanuel Macron, to launch the 2026 U7+ Presidential Summit at a meeting in the Élysée Palace in Paris. At the meeting, U7+ Alliance leadership presented President Macron with the U7+ 2026 Communiqué: “The Social Role of Universities in a Divided World”.

U7+ and the G7

Established in 2019 at the initiative of President Macron, the Alliance was designed to create a permanent and direct dialogue between university presidents and leaders from the intergovernmental forum, G7 (comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States). As a founding member of the U7+ Alliance, the University of Edinburgh now works with 47 other nationally leading universities within the Alliance to address the major challenges facing the globe. U7+ universities represent over 2 million students from G7 countries and 12 other countries across the world.

Each year, the G7 presidency moves between the seven nations, with the host country setting the year’s agenda and hosting the annual Presidential Summits. This year’s U7+ Presidential Summit marked an end to the first cycle of G7 since the U7+ launched in 2019.

Seven years after its inception and ahead of the 2026 U7+ Presidential Summit in Paris, the U7+ Alliance was recognised by the French Government as an official G7 Engagement Group. This official recognition reflects the growing need for universities to play an active role in helping G7 nations – and the world – to address global challenges.

2026 U7+ Presidential Summit

The 2026 U7+ Presidential Summit was hosted by École Polytechnique, Sciences Po and Université Paris Cité in Paris, France. 85 participants came together from 37 universities, including 2 members from the University of Edinburgh who joined online: Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Derek MacLeod, Head of Global Partnerships at Edinburgh Global.

Across two days, participants gathered to discuss crucial topics for science, higher education, multilateralism, climate action, and for the Alliance itself. Participants worked together on issues relevant to both the U7+ and the world across four thematic panels:

  • the Social Role of Universities
  • AI and Business
  • Climate Change and Sustainability
  • Dual-Use Research 

This year’s U7+ Presidential Summit places a strong focus on the social role of universities in addressing shared international challenges – recognising the unique responsibility of higher education institutions to drive collaboration, innovation and global impact. The Summit is a key opportunity to shape the Alliance’s agenda and strengthen collective action on issues such as sustainability, climate change and social responsibility.

Chris Yeomans Director of Global Engagement

During the Summit, the U7+ Presidential Steering Committee was invited to meet President Macron at the Élysée Palace, where the President reaffirmed his commitment “to promoting free and independent science and academic freedom". The meeting provided a unique opportunity for U7+ members to share their vision and proposals on the role of universities in addressing technological, democratic, climate-related, geopolitical, and demographic shifts.  

A large group of people sitting at tables in a large, elegant room, looking at information on a screen.
2026 U7+ Presidential Summit in Paris

2026 U7+ Communiqué

Over the past 12 months, U7+ members have composed the 2026 Communiqué entitled “The Social Role of Universities in a Divided World”. The Communiqué outlines the importance of universities within democratic societies, calling upon governments across the world to better support their universities and engage them as key partners to address global challenges. The document was signed by presidents from 37 member institutions, and included contributions from Chris Yeomans, Director of Global Engagement at the University of Edinburgh. 

At this historic juncture, universities remain strongly committed to educational access and scientific excellence for the common good. We seek to partner with G7 governments to address the divides that plague our democracies, promote responsible and inclusive technological progress, and support effective cooperation on pressing global issues.

2026 U7+ Communiqué: The Social Role of Universities in a Divided World

During their meeting at the Élysée Palace, current Chair of the U7+ Alliance and President of Keio University, Kohei Itoh, formally presented President Macron with the U7+ Communiqué. “President Macron was particularly pleased to see that the ideal he had hoped for the Alliance stayed intact, highlighting the capacity for Universities to adopt long term vision in a moving context marked by many [crises],” said President Kohei.

A group of officials in formal business attire standing in a group. At the centre is French President, Emmanuel Macron, holding a binder that reads "U7+".
The U7+ Presidential Steering Committee with French President, Emmanuel Macron, during their meeting ahead of the 2026 U7+ Presidential Summit.

The University’s involvement in U7+

The University of Edinburgh has been a core member of the Alliance since its inception, most recently engaging through three key working groups: 

  • Climate Change and Sustainability
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • The Social Role of Universities

Led by the University, the Climate Change and Sustainability working group is the longest running working group in the Alliance. Members share best practice, resources and case studies surrounding climate change and sustainability, involving subject matter experts and key community members to assist with their work. As well as influencing the G7, the working group aims to influence other key stakeholders – including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – on the crucial role that universities can play in addressing these intractable global challenges. 

The University of Edinburgh is proud to play a leading role within the network as chair of the Climate Change and Sustainability working group. Universities have such an important role to play in educating the next generation, developing innovative research and positively influencing society, and we think that the U7+ Alliance is a hugely important vehicle to drive this forward.

Derek MacLeod Head of Global Partnerships and Co-Chair of the U7+ Climate Change and Sustainability Working Group

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