WASHINGTON - From December 8-10, Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie Canegallo represented the United States at the G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ Meeting in Mito, Japan.
Acting Deputy Secretary Canegallo met in Mito with G7 partners from Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, as well as representatives from Interpol to discuss global security issues including protecting economic security, combatting child sexual exploitation and abuse, keeping cyberspace safe, and addressing the risks and opportunities posed by generative artificial intelligence (AI). The ministers also discussed the changing terrorism threat landscape and ways we can counter terrorism and violent extremism, including online radicalization to violence.
Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, joined the group virtually to discuss ways G7 partners can support Ukraine.
Finally, the ministers issued a joint statement condemning the terror attacks across Israel by Hamas and calling for the immediate release of all remaining hostages without preconditions, while committing to coordinate efforts to isolate Hamas and ensure it cannot threaten Israel. Ministers also expressed deep concern with the devastating impact on the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, while condemning the rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians. The ministers further condemned the anti-Semitic and Islamophobic actions incited by extremist actors disturbing peace and social cohesion, especially in Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities worldwide.