About the G8
Overview of the G8
Over 20 years ago, AIDS first appeared on the G8 agenda. It has remained on the G8 agenda nearly every year since, but usually only at the insistence of AIDS campaigners. Some have questioned whether the G8—which is not elected by anyone—is an appropriate venue to advocate for changes in global policy. Others are troubled by the notion that the world’s wealthiest nation should hold such sway over the fate of the world’s citizen. Despite these concerns the simple fact is that G8 member states contribute the lion share of resources for development assistance. When countries are gathered under the auspices of the G8 summit they are conspicuous in their choices of priorities and obligations and it is here where civil society should hold them accountable.
What is the G8?
The “Group of Eight” or G8, is an international forum composed of 8 country members – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russian, United Kingdom and the United States. A representative from the European Commission also participates. Together, these countries represent approximately 65% of the world’s economy.
This international forum was hosted for the first time in France in 1975 to discuss issues of the global economy, and at that time consisted of six country members. The G8 meets annually under rotating country leadership. Each country takes leadership of the forum on the 1st of January and the lead country plans and hosts foreign minister level meetings that then lead up to the mid-year summit which all of the country leaders attend. This year summit will be held on 7-9 July in Hokkaido - Toyako, Japan.
To read more about the G8, please see the following links:
Official G8 2008 Presidency Website (in Japanese and English)
G8 information from Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia.
University of Toronto G8 Information Center
G8 Meetings and Summits
Prior to the mid-year summit, there are many minister-level meetings. The meeting and their discussions are planned by high-ranking government aids called “Sherpas.” At these meetings foreign, environmental and finance ministers among others, meet to discuss a variety of topics including energy, the environment, social development and terrorism. These meetings give ministers a chance to discuss and work out issues surrounding the summit.
G8 Commitments
Below can you download a document that includes details about the AIDS and health-related commitments, promises and statements of intent made by G8 leaders since 2005. All excerpts are reproduced verbatim from official summit communiqués or other formal outcome documents of G8 summits from Okinawa to Gleneagles. For more information on commitments from 2000 - 2006, please see the document “Asleep At the Wheel”.
Below you find more background information about the G8, its promises and important events surrounding it.
Asleep at the Wheel? Five Years of G8 Promises on Global Health
G8 leaders are side-stepping their responsibility to create an enabling environment for global responses to the major health issues facing poor nations, such as AIDS and tuberculosis. Their annual summits are more about political rhetoric than genuine governmental intentions.