G7

Since 1975, the heads of state or government of the major industrial democracies have been meeting annually "to deal with the major economic and political issues facing their domestic societies and the international community as a whole".

The six countries at the first summit, held at Rambouillet, France, in November 1975, were France, the United States, Britain, Germany, Japan and Italy (sometimes referred to as the G6). 

• They were joined by Canada at the San Juan Summit of 1976 in Puerto Rico, and 
• by the European Community at the London Summit of 1977.