Organisations across Cornwall have welcomed the news that the Duchy is to host the international G7 leaders’ summit in June and pledge an event that will leave a lasting social and economic legacy to benefit all of Cornwall’s residents.
The major three-day international event will see leaders from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US, as well as invited leaders from Australia, India, and South Korea attend.
The event will host world leaders at Carbis Bay, with neighbouring St Ives and other sites in Cornwall, such as Falmouth, hosting international delegates and media – with organisers determined to make this an event for all residents in Cornwall to experience and share.
Julian German, Leader of Cornwall Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of Cornwall and the UK on the world stage, and to build our strength and prosperity at home. For those reasons we are determined that this event delivers a lasting legacy for our residents, inspires our young people and shows how we can play our part in bringing the world together after the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic – and bringing together all parts of the UK together, leaving no-one and nowhere behind. We want a lasting legacy that maximises inward investment, translating our moment on the global stage into trade. A legacy that helps Cornwall bounce forward and make its full contribution to the country’s ambitions in areas like space and satellite, floating offshore wind and other sources of clean energy, and globally significant geo-resources including lithium to power our future.”
Visit Cornwall estimates a total economic impact of the Summit for the County of £50m, including both the immediate benefits of the Summit and related events, and projected tourism growth over the next five years.
Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive of Visit Cornwall said: “Cornwall has been voted the best holiday region in the UK for 10 out of the last 11 years in the British Travel Award but is little known to many countries around the world. The G7 Leaders’ summit will shine a spotlight on our very special place and the worldwide exposure is promotion we could never buy. It will showcase the beauty of Cornwall and provide an opportunity to highlight our heritage, culture and the connections to each country, which will help drive increased numbers of international visitors to Cornwall over the next decade.”
Mark Duddridge, Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to put Cornwall and its ambitions on a global stage and secure a lasting economic legacy for our region. Cornwall strives to be an exemplar of a better tomorrow, a place to test and prove new technologies, new ways of working, and economic inclusion. Cornwall has a history of exporting its ideas, technology and people around the world and that continues today. We can play an internationally significant role in pioneering a decarbonised economy that creates opportunity, harnesses our natural capital and safeguards our planet for future generations. This summit is a tremendous opportunity to highlight Cornwall’s contribution to positive global change. We look forward to extending a warm Cornish welcome and forging new partnerships with our friends from around the world.”
(Photo courtesy of Matt Jessop/Visit Cornwall) .
