The Group of 7 leaders reach the heart of their annual summit meeting on Saturday, with the pandemic, climate change, China and Russia likely to be on the agenda at their gathering in Cornwall, England.

The formal topics of the day’s three scheduled sessions — economic resilience, foreign policy and health — reveal only so much. Each topic is broad enough to cover a wide array of issues, and each player has an agenda for steering those discussions.

Later in the day, the leaders are expected to sign a declaration on global health and commit resources to ensuring that the economic and human toll of the coronavirus pandemic is never repeated. The Carbis Bay declaration, named for the location of the summit, is described by the organizers as a “historic statement setting out a series of concrete commitments to prevent any repeat of the human and economic devastation wreaked by coronavirus.”

Often the most important talks are private and informal encounters in the spaces between the big gatherings — the kind of face-to-face diplomacy President Biden relishes. He would like to corral the others behind a tough approach to China, politically and commercially, but that will be a hard sell for some of them, who aren’t as worried as American policymakers about Beijing’s rising power.

To varying degrees, the member nations, all large wealthy democracies, will be looking to create a united front on tackling the world’s biggest issues. That unity was notably lacking under President Donald J. Trump, who disdained traditional allies and alliances, opposed efforts to fight global warming, was protectionist on trade, wanted a harder stance on China than the other members and wanted to go easier on Russia.

Now, under Mr. Biden, the biggest and most powerful member of the club has moved back toward consensus positions, though conflicts remain. He has rejoined the Paris climate agreement, European and American negotiators are close to resolving trade and tariff disputes, and the G7 nations — the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Canada and Britain, this year’s host country — and the European Union have made major commitments to increasing supplies of coronavirus vaccines to developing countries.

The G7 meeting began on Friday, though much of the day was spent in formalities like a reception and dinner with Queen Elizabeth II and other members of Britain’s royal family. In addition to the seven national leaders, by tradition the top European Union officials, Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, are also taking part.

The host country can invite other countries and international organizations to take part as guests, and some of this year’s sessions will include the leaders of India, South Korea, South Africa and Australia, as well as Secretary-General António Guterres of the United Nations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India is expected to take part remotely.

Melinda French Gates, a co-chair of the Gates Foundation, and Patrick Vallance, the British government’s chief science adviser, are expected to address the health session virtually.

In the evening, the leaders and their guests will have a steak and lobster barbecue dinner on the beach, followed by hot buttered rum and toasted marshmallows.

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