Geopolitical events have led to growing risks to energy security, including escalating demand, energy being used as a coercive tool, overdominance and concentration of critical supply chains, vulnerabilities presented by limited maritime shipping routes, aging energy infrastructure, extreme weather events and intensified competition.
Building on commitments to enhance energy security made during the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, G7 Energy Ministers noted the importance of securing energy sources and critical mineral materials and of strengthening collaboration to improve the stability, resilience and flexibility of energy systems to meet demand and mitigate these risks.
Ministers issued the G7 Call to Action on Enhancing Energy Security, which recognizes the evolving energy security landscape and the need for diversification, predictability and further international cooperation. It also identifies actions to build greater individual and collective energy security, including:
- Strengthening critical minerals and technology supply chains through the establishment of criteria to build a standards-based market, mobilizing capital and investing in partnerships, and promoting innovation.
- Building resilient electricity infrastructure through impactful actions such as scaling-up investment in electricity grids, addressing supply chain barriers, enhancing long-term energy planning, improving the efficiency of project review and accelerating permitting processes, accelerating the development and deployment of innovation for grid modernization, and growing the skilled energy workforce of the future.
- Strengthening gas security and supporting greater market stability by exchanging best practices, ensuring adequate natural gas storage capacity and exploring opportunities through international cooperation with like-minded partners, including industry.
Nuclear and fusion energy
Acknowledging the role nuclear energy can play in meeting rising energy demands and enhancing global energy security, Ministers also issued a statement on nuclear and fusion energy.
The statement outlines that countries that opt to use or support the use of nuclear energy are committed to advancing the research, development and deployment of innovative nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors and advanced reactors. These countries also commit to upholding the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, non-proliferation and responsible approaches for nuclear waste management. They recognize the importance of cooperating on supply chains to prioritize resilience and reduce dependence on unreliable partners, and of continuing dialogue with like-minded partners on establishing favourable policy, regulatory and business environments.
The statement also recognizes the future potential of fusion energy to make a significant contribution to meeting the growing demand for energy. Noting the continuation of the G7 Working Group on Fusion Energy established under Italy's G7 Presidency in 2024, it encourages continued collaboration and sharing of best practices for regulatory frameworks and technical standards, facilitated by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Support for Ukraine's energy security
Ministers also condemned Russia's war against Ukraine and its impact on Ukraine's energy security. They reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine, including in its efforts to repair and restore its critical infrastructure. Ministers recognized that rebuilding Ukraine is a critical task requiring both public and private sector engagement and investment, and that Ukraine has the potential to serve as a model for energy security and innovation, notably in building a modern, clean, decentralized and resilient energy system.
The G7 continues to work toward the recovery of Ukraine's energy sector through the G7+ Ukraine Energy Coordination Group and the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. Support includes direct financial assistance, policy and resource alignment, and setting enabling conditions for long-term private sector investment.
As a global leader in energy production, Canada is working with domestic and international stakeholders to support Ukraine's energy systems, including through exchange of information, funding, loans, technical cooperation and business participation in the country's economic recovery.
The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, joined by Special Representative for the Reconstruction of Ukraine Chrystia Freeland, also met with Svitlana Grynchuk, Ukraine's Minister of Energy, during the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers' Meeting to discuss how Canada can continue to assist in addressing Ukraine's energy infrastructure gaps. During the meeting, the ministers signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Energy Cooperation, a step toward a cooperation agreement between the two countries.
The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, joined Minister Hodgson and Minister Grynchuk to announce that Canada is expediting the final portion of its $70-million contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, an initiative led by the Energy Community Secretariat, to support energy needs in Ukraine. A payment of $10 million has been disbursed early to help Ukraine repair critical energy infrastructure damaged by Russian strikes.
Canada-Japan Joint Statement on Energy Security
During the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers' Meeting, Minister Hodgson and Japan State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Kenji Yamada, met to discuss global energy security and deepen bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
The two ministers issued a joint statement in which they agreed on goals of decarbonization, economic growth and energy security. They highlighted particular areas of collaboration, including a more resilient and low-emission liquefied natural gas supply chain, nuclear power and battery storage.
Canada-Italy Ministers-Level Energy Dialogue
On the margins of the Ministers' Meeting, Minister Hodgson and Italy's Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, launched a Canada-Italy Ministers- Level Energy Dialogue to enhance cooperation on critical minerals, nuclear energy and other priority areas and identify future opportunities for engagement between the two countries.
Canada-Australia Joint Declaration of Intent on Critical Minerals Cooperation
On the margins of the Minister's Meeting, Minister Hodgson and Australia's Minister for Resources, Madeleine King, also signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on Critical Minerals Cooperation. The joint declaration acknowledges the significance of critical minerals for economic and national security of both countries, including for defence applications, the energy transition, clean technology and advanced manufacturing. It also identifies areas for increased cooperation, including in project financing, technology development and deployment, policy and regulatory alignment, information sharing and supply chain resilience.
