G8 membership
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Russia
- United Kingdom
- United States
- The European Union is also represented as an observer, but cannot chair or host a summit.
The G8 describes itself as "a club of leading industrialized countries, regularly meeting and consulting to enhance their friendship and synchronize their points of view as regards the major international economic and political issues."
The G8, whose member countries account for 60 per cent of the world's gross domestic product, says its members are united by common values of democracy, human rights and the free-market economy.
Although many anti-globalization activists might disagree, the G8 claims it wishes to narrow the gap between the world's richest and poorest countries. One anti-globalization group said the location of the 2004 summit at a posh resort on Sea Island, off the coast of Georgia, underlines its point that the world's wealthiest nations are setting economic policy at the expense of the poor.
Through its regular meetings and summits, the G8 arrives at non-binding decisions and understandings on measures they can take individually, but in a co-operative manner to more effectively achieve their goals. There are no votes. Summits end with the release of a communiqué, summarizing broad general areas of agreement.
The G8 summits generally deal with macroeconomic management, international trade, and relations with developing countries. They have also tackled issues such as East-West economic relations, energy, and terrorism. The scope has been broadened in recent years to include transnational issues such as the environment, crime and drugs, and a host of political-security issues, ranging from human rights through regional security to arms control.
The responsibility of host rotates throughout the summit cycle at the end of the calendar year, as follows: France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia (as of 2006), Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada.
Before Russia joined in 1997, the present-day G8 was known as the G7. In 1976, Canada joined the group, which was previously known as the G6.
Activities
Representatives of G8 member nations meet five times per year – this includes a yearly summit of heads of state and four smaller meetings involving foreign affairs and finance leaders. The annual meeting rotates on a regular basis among member nations.
Issues
G8 meetings focus on global economic, social and political issues. Some of the most recent meetings have focused on increasing aid to Africa, the establishment of a global fund to combat HIV/AIDS and debt relief to poor countries.
The main issues on the published 2006 summit agenda are energy, education and curbing the spread of infectious diseases. However, there are whisperings that North Korea and Iran might be higher up on the agenda than the G8 participants are willing to admit.
The G20
Meets to discuss financial globalization. Composed of finance ministers and central bank leaders of the former G7, as well as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey.
Related
External Links
- Official G8 website
- G-8 information centre
- from the University of Toronto
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