G7 Culture Ministers to Meet in Florence for First-Ever Summit

For the first time in G7 history, culture ministers from member nations will convene for a dedicated summit in Florence, Italy, on March 30-31, 2017. The meeting, announced by Italian Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini, is part of Italy's G7 presidency and marks a precedent for the forum, which traditionally focuses on economic and financial issues. The summit will prioritize the protection of cultural heritage, combating illicit trafficking, and promoting culture as a tool for dialogue among peoples. Franceschini's initiative follows earlier discussions among Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, French President François Hollande, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Ventotene, Lazio, in August 2016, where culture was highlighted as a strategic sector. The Florence summit is hosted by Mayor Dario Nardella, who succeeded Renzi as mayor after Renzi served from 2009 to 2014. The G7 rotates annually among the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, and France.