Thought #34
July 2009
Author: Bill Thurston
What is the G8?
The G8 is a forum of 8 countries, considered the world's major industrialized democracies in the northern hemisphere. G8 meetings are called summits. The first summit was held in France in 1975 to address the oil crisis of 1973.
The present members are:
Canada
France
Germany
Italy
Japan
Russia
United Kingdom
United States
Some members want to expand the summit meetings to include countries like Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Mexico, and South Africa.
The G8 is intended to be an informal forum with minimal administrative structure. There are no G8 offices or staff. The "presidency of the group" rotates annually among the member countries, with each new term beginning on 1 January. The country holding the presidency is responsible for planning and hosting a series of ministerial meetings, leading up to a mid-year summit attended by the heads of government. The ministerial meetings bring together ministers responsible for various portfolios to discuss issues of mutual or global concern. The range of topics include health, law enforcement, labor, economic and social development, energy, environment, foreign affairs, justice and interior, terrorism, and trade. The annual Leaders' Summit is the highest-profile and most important event in the G8 process.
What is the G8 addressing this year at the Leaders Summit?
Italy is sponsoring the G8 for 2009 and the Leaders Summit is on 8,9,10 July 2009.
The main issues on the Italian Presidency's agenda are:
Economic Crisis and a Boost to Growth: New Ground Rules
Imparting a Fresh Boost to International Trade
People First
Climate Changes
Development in the Poorer Countries and in Africa
Food Safety and Security, and Access to Water Health
International Political Issues
To debate these issues, the Italian Presidency has organized a G8 Summit which will be unique in terms of the number of countries attending. Along with the G8 countries Italy has invited the "Group of Five" comprised of Brazil, People's Republic of China, India, Mexico and South Africa. Another countries invited are Egypt, Australia, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Angola, Algeria, Senegal, The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, African Union, Netherlands, and Spain.
Invitations have been extended to the following international institutions and
organizations representing the international community:
United Nations Organization (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank
(WB)
World Trade organization (WTO), Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD), International Energy Agency (IEA), Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),
World Food Program (WFP), and The International
Labor Organization (ILO)
To debate these issues, the Italian Presidency has organized a G8 Summit which will be unique in terms of the number of countries attending.
This year's G8 website:
http://www.g8italia2009.it/G8/G8-G8_Layout_locale-1199882116809_Home.htm
Final Thought
There seems to be some questions about the value of this activity. If the value
is secret in nature, then we won't
know about it till it is declassified. But the forum is informal meaning
communications are not all documented.
There are some signs that raise questions. First of all there is the lack of
accountability from year to year. Looking at these G8 meetings, you see
something missing and that is the initial item in any logical agenda of
reviewing old business. In the last two decades, there appears to be no review
of progress made on last year's or previous years' tasks and actions.
This year, Italy invited 39 countries and organizations. I guess that makes it
the G8+G31! The G8 composed of the world's major industrialized democracies in
the northern hemisphere have many similar issues and may be able to address 8
major issues in 3 days. 39 countries and organizations with very different
issues and points of view will have a monumental task to develop any useful plan
at all.
Then there is the cost. Last year the cost for Japan was about $462 million. It
is expected that this year Italy will spend more than Japan. The cost itself
isn't important, but is the group getting half a billion dollars worth of value?
According to Radio Free Europe "Leaders agreed to take steps aimed at limiting
the Earth’s average temperature from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius above
pre-industrial levels by 2050."http://www.rferl.org/content/Group_Of_Eight_Agrees_On_Landmark_Climate_Change_Targets/1772655.html
The G8 Summit final document on Climate Change states:
"We recognize
the scientific view that the increase in global average temperature above
pre-industrial levels ought not to exceed 2 degrees C. In this regard and in the
context of the ultimate objective of the Convention and the Bali Action Plan, we
will work between now and Copenhagen, with each other and under the Convention,
to identify a global goal for substantially reducing global emissions by 2050."
http://www.g8italia2009.it/static/G8_Allegato/MEF_Declarationl.pdf
If this is an example of their accomplishment, we are in trouble. "We will
work... with each other" is not a commitment and you really don't have to do
anything for decades.
Help!
Results of the G8 Summit 2009
7 documents have been adopted. You can review these documents along with closing
comments at:
http://www.g8italia2009.it/G8/Home/G8-G8_Layout_locale-1199882116809_Atti.htm
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