WHAP 2026 Current Events

Leader of US (G7) + (G20)

Donald Trump: The United States holds the presidency of the G20 for 2026

• President of the US

• Focuses on immigration, trade and foreign policy

Leader of Canada (G7) + (G20)

Mark Carney

• Prime Minister of Canada

• Former central banker

• Works on economic growth and international partnerships

Leader of United Kingdom (G7) + (G20)

Keir Starmer

• Prime Minister of the UK

• Leader of the Labour Party

Leader of France (G7) + (G20)

Emmanuel Macron: For the 2026 term, France holds the G7 presidency.

• President of France

• Active in European Union and NATO affairs

Leader of Germany (G7) + (G20)

Friedrich Merz

• Chancellor of Germany

• Leads Europe’s largest economy

Leader of Italy (G7) + (G20)

Girogia Meloni

• Prime Minister of Italy

• First female PM in Italian history

Leader of Japan (G7) + (G20)

Shigeru Ishiba

• Prime Minister of Japan

• Focuses on security and economic growth

Why is G7 Important?

• Discusses global economic problems

• Responds to war and international crises

• Works on climate, trade, and security issues

• Influences world policies because member countries are wealthy and powerful.

G20 Represents…

• About 85% of global GDP

• About 75% of world trade

• 2/3rds of the worlds population

Leader of Mexico (G20)

Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo

Leader of Argentina (G20)

Javier Milei

Leader of Brazil (G20)

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Leader of the European Nation (EU) (G20)

Ursula von der Leyen

Leader of China (G20)

Xi Jinping

• President of China

• One of the most influential leaders in the world

• Leads the world’s second largest economy

Leader of India (G20)

Narendra Modi

Leader of Japan (G20)

Sanae Takaichi

Leader of Indonesia (G20)

Prabowo Subianto: (Indonesia is also dominantly muslim)

Leader of Saudi Arabia (G20)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Leader of Turkiye (G20)

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Leader of South Africa (G20)

Cyril Ramaphosa

Leader of the African Union (AU) (G20)

Évariste Ndayishimiye

Leader of Australia (G20)

Anthony Albanese

Leader of Russia (G20) (Suspended From G7)

Vladmir Putin

• President of Russia

• Has led Russia for over 2 decades

• Oversees Russia’s war against Ukraine

Why is G20 Important?

• Focuses mainly on the global economy

• Discusses inflation, trade, jobs, energy

• Helps coordinate responses to economic stress

Leader of Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

• President of Ukraine

• Former actor and comedian

• Became internationally known after Russia invaded Ukraine

Leader of Vatican

Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost)

• Leader of the Roman Catholic Church

• Head of the Vatican City

• Guides over one billion Catholics worldwide

The United Nations (UN)

Security General: Antonio Guterres

• Leads the UN

• Promotes peace and diplomacy

• Coordinates humanitarian aid

• Helps resolve international conflicts

UN Headquarters: New York City

Russia-Ukraine War

What Happened?

• Russia Invaded Ukraine in February 2022

• Fighting Continues Today

Why is it Important?

• One of the largest wars in Europe since WW2

• Has affected food prices, energy supplies, and global security

Supporting Ukraine

• United States

• Canada

• United Kingdom

• France

• Germany

Ukraine is Located IN EASTERN EUROPE

Israel-Gaza Conflict

What Happened?

• Fighting between Israel and Hamas escalated in October 2023

• Conflict continues with humanitarian concerns

Why is it Important?

• Thousands of deaths and injuries

• Refugee and aid crises

• Major focus of international diplomacy

Located IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Iran

Why is Iran in The News?

• Regional tensions in the Middle East

• Nuclear program concerns

• Influence on global oil prices

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Purpose

• Military alliance

• Members agree to defend one another

Important members

• United States

• Canada

• United Kingdom

• France

• Germany

• Italy

Why is it important?

• Supports Ukraine

• Helps maintain security in Europe

Eastern Europe (Location)

• Ukraine

• Russia

Western Europe (Location)

• France

• Germany

• United Kingdom

Southern Europe (Location)

• Italy

East Asia (Location)

• China

• Japan

• South Korea

South Asia (Location)

• India

• Pakistan

• *conflict over kashmir*

Middle East (Location)

• Israel

• Iran

• Saudi Arabia

North America (Location)

• United States

• Canada

• Mexico

South America (Location)

• Brazil

• Argentina

Africa (Location)

• South Africa (white dominant)

• Egypt