Latest G8 News
Within this section you will find the latest updates on news pertaining to the 2008 G8.
Campaigners to G8: Keep Your Promises
Nearly 250 organisations and unions from more than 60 countries that signed on their support to demand G8 countries to keep their promises on universal access. The following letter was sent to all G7 leaders on 4 July 2008. A related press statement was issued, which you can view here. Please continue to check back for updates.
Campaigners warn G8 not to renege on AIDS commitments
4 July 2008: Amid fears that critical AIDS pledges made at previous G8 summits will be reneged at this year’s meeting in Japan, over 200 civil society organisations from more than 60 countries have signed a letter to G8 heads of state underscoring the fundamental need to fulfil the promise of universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010.
Financial Times Article: G8 leaders ready to backtrack on Africa aid
According to a draft of the 2008 G8 communiqué, leaked to the Financial Times on 29 June, G8 leaders are planning to abandon the universal access target of 2010. The solemn pledge of the 2005 Gleneagles summit that has been reiterated in each of the successive G8 summits, inspired the 2005 World summit 2005 and served to set the benchmarks for the High Level AIDS meetings of 2006 and 2008. Further, the leaked communique casts doubt over the commitment of US $60 billion for tackling malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS and strengthening healthcare systems in developing countries made at the 2007 summit. To read the statement from civil society to G8 leaders demanding their promises are kept, click here. To read reaction from civil society organisations in G8 countries, click here.
Many other news stories have been published relating to this item. You can view some of them in this section.
G8 says committed to fulfil Africa aid pledge
TOYAKO, Japan (Reuters) - Leaders from Group of Eight rich nations said on Tuesday they are committed to achieve their aid target for Africa, pledged at their Gleneagles summit in 2005.
UNFPA: G8 must address population, family planning to tackle climate change and maternal death
TOKYO, 2 July 2008—The Group of Eight (G-8) should seriously factor in population issues when it deliberates on food security, climate change and maternal health during its upcoming Summit, said UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, at a global meeting of lawmakers here today.
G8 Global Health Commitment Announced at Women Deliver
Ath the Women Deliver Conference in London on 18 - 20 October 2007, Mr. Takaoka, a high official at the UK Japanese Embassy announced Japan's intention to place global health at the centre of the 2008 G8 Summit. To read the full statement, please see below
Prime Minister Fukuda reinforces commitment to global health
In a special address at the World Economic Forum this month, Prime Minister Fukuda discussed, among other things, his intention to focus on health at the G8 Summit., stating, “The G8 Summit, under the theme of development, will take up development issues around the globe, including those of Africa. At the turn of the century, international society set forth the Millennium Development Goals to fulfill its high ideals. This year marks the halfway point for achieving those goals, which are to be realized by 2015. From the perspective of "human security," I intend to focus on health, water, and education at the G8 Summit. “
Civil Society Representatives for the Civil G8 Dialogue in Japan Announced
Below you will find an announcement from the the Civil G8 Dialogue Selection Committee regarding the civil society representatives chosen to attend the Civil G8 Dialogue meeting in the run up to the G8 summit.The Civil G8 Dialogue is the meeting between global civil society and the G8 Sherpas to discuss the agenda of the G8 Summit. Health is one of the main agenda items of the G8, and it will be one of the main topics to be discussed in the event.
Women Won't Wait Statement to the G8
Below you will find the statement from the Women Won't Wait Campaign to the G8 regarding the need to seriously address the feminization of the AIDS epidemic.
New Year’s greetings with a difference
AIDS campaigners hope Japanese government will help G8 keep their promises in 2008.