The G8
What is the G8?
The Global 8 (G8) are the eight most economically powerful nations in the world. Predominantly a Western leaders forum it has been criticised for its lack of involvement with the African, Asian and Latin American continents."The G8:
United States
Russia
Japan
Germany
United Kingdom
France
Canada
Italy"
Originally formed in 1974 the then G6 (Canada and Russia joined later) acted as an informal group where leaders could discuss topics ranging from trade policies to the environment. The chair is rotated on an annual basis and the president of the European Commission attends each of the summits in addition to which ever leader currently holds presidency of the EU. The G8 now account for almost 65% of the world economy.
Much of the initial business is finalised before the leaders meet, by ‘Sherpas’ - messengers who negotiate and haggle on behalf of the leaders before they reach the summit. A series of ministerial meetings are held throughout the year to continue the work set out at each summit. G7 Finance ministers (excluding Russia) also meet in advance of the summit, this meeting is usually key to the economic agenda for the leaders meeting. Recomended reading...
- Eldis G8 blog
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The Eldis G8 and Africa Commission blog, provides regular news and research updates. We want to stimulate debate and assess the impact of the Commission for Africa report two years on. The blog was established to coincide with the DSA-DFID high-level policy forum taking place in London on May 2 which addressed the impact of the Commission for Africa report.
G8 agenda and capacity
Although leaders can come to an agreement on policies, the decision to act on these "pledges" is strictly voluntary. Being an informal group the G8 has no legislative power, offices, administrative system or permanent secretariat. There is also no specific G8 budget - financing of commitments relies on individual pledges from countries. Invariably some countries don't honour their pledges, and the G8 faces regular criticism for breaking promises.
The African continent has no permanent representation and a major challenge for the G8 group is to include a greater African voice although other notable absences include China, India and Brazil. A G11 group of developing countries has been established recently promoting debt cancellation and greater open market access.
Over recent years the G8 has become a focal point for campaign organisations and protesters. Campaigners on topics including: trade, aid, climate change, HIV and AIDS, education, conflict and governance - compete to get their issues onto the meeting agenda set out by the host country. Recommended readings...
Gleneagles commitments and Make Poverty History
In 2005 The United Kingdom hosted the G8 summit in Gleneagles.
Two years on The Make Poverty History movement has reignited into The World Can’t Wait campaign, a movement designed to hold G8 leaders to their Gleneagles commitments
Coinciding with the Make Poverty History and Live 8 campaigns, Tony Blair pledged to put Africa at the heart of negotiations with a particular emphasis on overseas development aid and debt cancellation. At the summit the G8 leaders agreed to increase aid to developing nations by $50bn per year by 2010. This pledge has not been kept and the commitment to doubling aid has fallen year on year since the 2005 summit . Criticised for not holding to their promises the G8 face a barrage of calls to keep their 2005 commitments from international organisations, civil society and governments.
