In 2025, under Canada’s leadership, the G7 has an unprecedented opportunity and responsibility to place brain health and brain skills at the heart of global economic strategy. The economy runs on “brain capital”, the combined power of brain health and cognitive skills. Yet, it remains largely absent from major policy discussions. At a time of workforce disruptions, AI-driven change, and demographic shifts, our economies depend on healthy brains, cognitive skills, and emotional resilience. It’s time to recognize the brain as an economic priority.

There has been promising progress on the global stage. The 2013 G8 Dementia Summit, the 2018 G20 Initiative for Early Childhood Development, and various recent events at 2025 World Economic Forum at Davos and other international platforms have spotlighted the importance of brain health. These initiatives have laid the groundwork for a more integrated, global approach to brain capital.

Furthermore, pioneering efforts like the United Nations Brain Days and the Brain Capital United Kingdom Summit have demonstrated that when diverse stakeholders come together, innovative solutions emerge. These examples provide both inspiration and practical models for what can be achieved under Canada’s G7 Presidency.

To adapt to the evolving global landscape, the G7 must recognize brain capital as a core economic asset and take steps to optimize it, including:

  • Establishing a G7-plus Brain Economy working group under the G7 Finance-Health Ministerial Working group to develop a strategic plan and funding approach.
  • Hosting an exploratory first-ever G7 Brain Economy Conference in 2025, culminating in a G7 Declaration on the brain economy.
  • Aligning the brain economy with the B7’s business agenda by encouraging corporate investments in brain health, workforce productivity, and cognitive resilience.

The European Brain Council is proud to support this critical call for global action. As we move forward, it’s essential to elevate brain health to the top of the economic agenda.

Read the Call to Action: https://sciencepolicy.ca/posts/the-brain-advantage-for-a-thriving-economy-a-global-call-to-action/.