Bari, Italy – The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations are gathering for a three-day summit to discuss global matters in the southern region of Puglia (Apulia).

The event is taking place on Thursday at Borgo Egnazia, a luxurious resort resembling a medieval village, surrounded by olive trees, and favored by celebrities like pop star Madonna.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, hosting this year's summit, will greet the heads of state of the seven members – the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and the United Kingdom – along with leaders of the European Council and the European Commission.

Attempting to move beyond its image as a club for the affluent West, Italy has invited over 10 additional countries for sideline discussions, including UAE’s Mohamed bin Zayed, Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Noticeably absent are Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who were invited according to a list seen by Al Jazeera.

Timing is favorable for Meloni, who will lead the summit following her far-right party's victory in the recent European Parliament elections that saw a shift to the right across Europe.

“I’m proud to be heading to the G7 with the strongest government of all,” the prime minister stated on her way to Puglia.

Key topics during the summit will include Africa and the Mediterranean, crucial security issues. Meloni plans to discuss her primary foreign policy, the Mattei Plan, aimed at establishing Italy as a significant energy hub between Europe and Africa, with hopes of fostering growth in Africa and reducing immigration to Europe.

Support for Ukraine will also be a major focus. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend the summit's first day for sessions on the conflict-affected region. One significant expected outcome is an agreement on a $50 billion loan for Ukraine, backed by profits from frozen Russian assets in the West since Moscow's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. An Italian source mentioned the political will to announce a deal at the summit, despite unresolved technical issues.

Such an agreement would convey strong solidarity with Kyiv as Ukrainian forces face challenges and Moscow advances in the east and north. The potential change in the US presidency during November's elections has also created urgency.

Another session will focus on the Middle East, with Israel's war on Gaza likely to be a prominent topic. Leaders are expected to reaffirm previous positions, including urging Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposed by US President Joe Biden and emphasizing the importance of a two-state solution for regional peace.

Pope Francis will attend the summit – the first pontiff to do so – for a session on artificial intelligence (AI). Other discussions will cover migration, financial issues, and the Asia Pacific situation.

A concluding statement is expected on Saturday, typically outlining the group's future policy directions and offering insights into their priorities for the broader global community.