34th G8 summit

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34th G8 Summit
File:G8 2008 logo.gif
34th G8 Summit official logo
Host countryJapan
DatesJuly 7 – July 9

The 34th G8 summit is to take place in Tōyako, Japan 7-9th of July 2008[1]. The G8 is an unofficial forum which brings together the heads of the leading industrialized democracies: Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, the United States, Canada (since 1976) and Russia (since 1998).[2] The European Commission has also been represented in all the sessions since the Ottawa Summit in 1981. The first summit in 1975 France was organized to settle a dispute over currencies, but subsequent G8 summit meetings have incorporated discussions about broad economic policy matters.[3]

This G8 summit in Japan will be the first for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda[4] and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.[5] It is also the last for US president George W. Bush.[6]


Composition of summit leaders

The composition of the G8 summit is not an agenda item, some hope to see the group expand to include China, India, Brazil and other major economies. In 2008, the United States, Japan, and Germany represent the three largest economic powerhouses, according to a World Bank calculation of gross domestic product based on purchasing power; however, India, the most highly populated democracy in the world, is fourth largest, but not part of the G8. The Brazilian economy is larger than that of Italy and Canada, and yet Brazil is not part of the group. In fact, the economies of Spain, Mexico and South Korea are larger than that of Canada, according to the World Bank report.[6]

Speaking in Paris only days before the G8 summit, French President Nicholas Sarkozy observed, "I think it is not reasonable to continue to meet as eight to solve the big questions of the world, forgetting China -- one billion 300 million people -- and not inviting India -- one billion people."[7]

Permanent

Invited (partial participation)

National leaders

Heads of international organizations

Agenda

A tentative schedule for the G8 summit was arranged in advance; and contingencies affecting surrounding events have been anticipated the the summit planners.[28]

July 5

Saturday's agenda includes the following (all times GMT):[28]

  • 04:00 -- Peace Walk by activists, including anti-G8 protesters in Sapporo, Hokkaido.[29]

July 6

Sunday's agenda includes the following (all times GMT):[28]

  • 00:00 -- Non-government organizations hold "People's Summit" in Sapporo, Hokkaido (to July 8).
  • 06:30 -- U.S.-Japan leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 00:00 -- Canada-Japan leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 10:00 -- U.S.-Japan leaders dinner.

July 7

The first official day of meetings in Toyako is expected to focus on Africa development issues. The exchange of views will be aired in an expanded afternoon session which includes G8 leaders and leaders of seven African countries -- Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and the chairman of the African Union Commission. Monday's agenda includes the following (all times GMT):[28]

  • 00:00 -- Germany-Japan leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 02:30 -- U.S.-Russia leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 03:30 -- Outreach Working Lunch: G8 leaders + 8 African leaders.[30]
  • 05:30 -- Outreach Working Session: G8 leaders + 8 African leaders.[30]
  • 00:00 -- South Africa-Japan leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 00:00 -- Algeria-Japan leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 00:00 -- Nigeria-Japan leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 10:35 -- G8 Social Event and G8 Social Dinner.[30]

July 8

The second day of meetings in Toyako is expected to focus on food and oil prices, and climate change. Tuesday's agenda includes the following (all times GMT):[28]

  • 00:00 -- U.S.-Germany leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 01:00 -- G8 Morning Working Session.[30]
  • 04:00 -- G8 Working Lunch.[30]
  • 06:00 -- G8 Afternoon Working Session.[30]
  • 00:00 -- Meeting of the "+5" countries (G8+5) in Sapporo ahead of Wednesday' morning session (Mexico, Brazil, China, South Africa, India)
  • 00:00 -- Russia-Japan leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 00:00 -- Italy-Japan leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 10:00 -- G8 Working Dinner.[30]

July 9

Wednesday's schedule includes two morning sessions. An outreach meeting with leaders of Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa is planned for the early morning; and a separate meeting is planned with leaders of "major economies" -- Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea.[9] Wednesday's agenda includes the following (all times GMT):[28]

  • 22:40 (Tues) -- U.S.-India leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 23:30 (Tues) -- Outreach Working Session.[30]
  • 01:00 -- Major Economies Meeting.[30]
  • 03:30 -- G8 Working Lunch with participants from Major Economies Meeting.[30]
  • 05:45 -- U.S.-China leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 00:00 -- Press Conference.[30]
  • 06:45 -- U.S.-South Korea leaders bilateral meeting.
  • 00:00 -- China-Japan leaders bilateral meeting
  • 00:00 -- India-Japan leaders bilateral meeting
  • 00:00 -- Mexico-Japan leaders bilateral meeting
  • 00:00 -- Brazil-Japan leaders bilateral meeting
  • 00:00 -- Australia-Japan leaders bilateral meeting

Issues

Africa

The full range of issues relating to African development are to be aired at this summit.[31] The need to address long-term African development planing has been a G* agenda item for a number of years. In 2008, Japan hosts both the G8 summit and hthe Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-IV) -— a 5-yearly gathering of African leaders and their development partners. this means that Japan has the opportunity to help Africa into in the spotlight of international attention.[32]

Fletcher Tembo of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), observes:

"Africa, which has been on the G8 agenda since 2000 when Japan last chaired the G8, has continued to lag behind on progress towards meeting Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) while Asia has made considerable strides during the same period. With Japan chairing the G8 again in 2008, there is an opportunity to develop firm commitments for the G8-Africa partnership."[33]

Unanswered question remain about why what has happened in Asia has not happened in Africa."[34]

Climate change and sustainable energy dialogue

The full range of issues relating to climate are to be aired at this summit.[35]

On March 20, 2007, Agence France Presse reported that Japanese "Prime Minister Abe will ask his cabinet ministers to develop a package of proposals to present to next year's Group of Eight summit of world leaders, which Japan will host. Japanese government ministers will "discuss proposals on a new framework that will ensure participation by the United States and China, the world's largest greenhouse-gas emitters," a foreign ministry official said."

On February 18, 2007, Jiji Press English News Service reported that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated that he will lead discussions of environmental protection and climate change in Heiligendamm, where it will be a major topic. Jiji Press English News Service also reported that "Environmental issues will remain at the fore at next year's G8 summit in Japan, where attendees are seen to discuss how Japan and other advanced nations should achieve their targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions set out in the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. A post-Kyoto Protocol framework for tackling global warming will also likely be on the agenda at the 2008 summit among Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, Abe said."

Fletcher Tembo also notes that the 2008 G8 conference is an important platform to firm up commitments based on the initial framework agreed upon at the December 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Bali, Indonesia.[34]

Intellectual property rights controversy

See more: Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement[36]

A leaked document[37] details provisions of a proposed plurilateral trade agreement that would impose strict enforcement of intellectual property rights related to Internet activity and trade in information-based goods. If adopted, a treaty of this form would impose a strong, top-down enforcement regime imposing new cooperation requirements upon ISPs, including perfunctory disclosure of customer information, as well as measures restricting the use of online privacy tools. The proposal also specifies a plan to encourage developing nations to accept the legal regime. Talking points from the European Commission, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and others have published selected passages ostensibly from this document; refer to here for useful links.

Political issues including Nuclear Non-proliferation

Two important issues to be discussed include terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation.[38]

World Economy

The Summit Website highlights several key issues surrounding the world economy to be discussed, including: sustained growth of the world economy, investment, trade, protection of intellectual property rights, emerging economies and natural resources.[38]

Protests, citizen journalism and alleged human rights violations

Many of the groups planning protests were coordinated through the G8 Action Network.[39] Some of the reasons stated for protesting against the 34th G8 summit were that the meeting would be "an arbitrary meeting of the governments" which are responsible for accelerating inequality and poverty, reduction of social welfare, the exclusion of socially disadvantaged people and the violation their fundamental rights.[40]

Not all demonstrations were agitating in opposition to some issue. At the 2005 Scotland summit, for the first time the tens of thousands of people protesting outside were actually supporting the summit's agenda of African aid.[2] The Iranian international news network, broadcasting in English on a round-the-clock basis, reported activists in the streets of Sapporo who were urging the G8 to pay more attention to food producers and rapidly escalating food prices.[41]

Citizen journalism

Citizens' groups organised several citizen journalism centres to provide independent media coverage of the expected protests.[42]

Alleged human rights violations during the summit period

One day before the G8 Finance Ministers' Meeting started in Osaka with a very large police presence, a day labourer in Kamagasaki was allegedly tortured by the police. In protest against this, many day labourers and other local citizens carried out several days of street protests.[43]

Before the 34th G8 Summit started, "over 40 people were arrested in pre-emptive sweeps of broad left and anarchist groups".[43]

Accomplishments

Analysts anticipate that this will not be a summit in which an ambitious new agenda is mapped out, but rather one which will be cautiously focused on trying to keep the lid on growing global discontent.[5] In 1976, the first year Canada attended, the nations issued a 1,600-word statement that made seven commitments, none of which were ever fully delivered by the members. In 2007, the nations made 329 commitments, about a third of which are being turned into reality. This, defenders of the G8 say, is proof of the summits' continuing effectiveness: the G8 are generally doing a better job than ever before of delivering on pledges made at these annual summit meetings.[2]

The projected evaluation of this G8 summit can be assessed or measured in a context which encompasses the five most recent G8 summits. A summary of accomplishments from the previous five G8 summits would include:[44]

2003 summit

In Evian, France, the G8 leaders focused on what they claimed was a need for structural reforms and greater flexibility in rich economies despite resistance by G8 citizens, highlighted by public sector strikes, in the host country France.[44]

2004 summit

In Sea Island, United States, the G8 leaders agreed to extend debt relief programs for poor countries, but fell short of demands for a total write-off of loans owed by African nations to multilateral lending agencies. The G8 leaders said they would extend the term of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries initiative, under which poor states can write off some of their debt.[44]

2005 summit

In Gleneagles, United Kingdom, the G8 leaders agreed to more than double aid to Africa by 2010; but aid agencies argued there was little new money in the pledge. They also pledged that G8 nations and other donors would increase total aid for all developing countries by about $50 billion a year by 2010. Assistance to Africa was put at the top of the 2005 summit by British Prime Minister Tony Blair;[45] but those well-intentioned plans were thwarted because Blair was forced to return to London after terrorist bomb explosions disrupted London's public transportation. The discussion about African issues was not as fruitful as the regular G8 sessions and had a "fragmented" character. A credible analysis of the summit suggests that Gleneagles stands apart from the other G8 summits ....

It would have been a regular summit if not for the terrorist attacks on London, as odd as it may seem at first sight. Although the tragedy took away a considerable portion of attention that would have otherwise been directed to the world richest and most powerful countries ..., the attacks provided for the relative success of the summit ... due to the necessity to demonstrate the united front against terrorism and to achieve somewhat tangible results that terrorists could not prevent.[46]

2006 summit

In St. Petersburg, Russia, the G8 leaders agreed to a formal agenda of energy security, combating infectious diseases and promoting education -- all topics held little controversy and required no financial commitment by G8 members. Assistance to Africa from the 2005 summit agenda re-appeared on the 2006 agenda;[45] but no tangible actions ensued.[44]

2007 summit

In Heiligendamm, Germany, the G8 leaders agreed to consider a global goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to negotiate a new global climate pact that would extend and broaden the Kyoto Protocols.[47] For Africa, the G8 pledged $60 billion to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis;[45] but the declaration set out no specific timetable, nor did it break down individual countries' contributions or spell out how much of the total funds had been previously promised.[44]

Budget

Japan plans to spend an unprecedented amount on hosting the G-8 Summit.[48]

Total Budget: More than ¥60 billion

  • ¥30 billion (£283 illion) used by the National Police Agency for patrolling the venues, including taking counter-terrorism measures.[49] When the three-day meeting ends, Japanese taxpayers will face a bill which dwarfs the estimated £1.3m Britain stumped up at Gleneagles three years ago. A foreign ministry spokesman suggested that "the number of parties attending this year is unprecedented, which has admittedly complicated the arrangements, and it's simply not fair to compare it with previous summits."[50]
  • ¥25.5 billion will be spent by the Foreign Ministry.[48]
1) approximately ¥9 billion for communications infrastructure between the summit venue in Toyako and Rusutsu, where the international media center will be located.
2) approximately ¥5 billion for the media center, which is constructed on a parking lot in a ski resort and will accommodate around 3,000 people from the press and governments. Inside and outside the center, cutting-edge environmental technology, including fuel cells and heat pumps, will be exhibited. The center itself boasts eco-friendly features, including solar panels, "green" walls and a snow cooling system. Once the summit is over, however, the building will be demolished.
  • ¥1 billion each for The Defense Ministry and Japan Coast Guard for transporting the leaders and patrolling sea areas near the venue and monitoring the 46 km no-fly zone surrounding the summit site.[49]

See also

References

  1. ^ Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA): 34th G8 summit, overview. retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  2. ^ a b c Saunders, Doug. "Weight of the world too heavy for G8 shoulders," Globe and Mail (Toronto). July 5, 2008. Cite error: The named reference "saunders1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ Reuters: "Factbox: The Group of Eight: what is it?", July 3, 2008.
  4. ^ a b Gilson, Mike. "Land of Rising Sun can shed new light on climate fight," The Scotsman (Edinburgh). June 30, 2008. Cite error: The named reference "scotsman1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Zakaria, Tabassum. "G8 summit of politically weak facing tough issues," Turkish Daily News (Istanbul). July 3, 2008. Cite error: The named reference "zakaria1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Raum, Tom. "Bush's final G-8 summit could be harmonious," International Herald-Tribune. July 3, 2008. Cite error: The named reference "ih-t1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ Wendlandt, Astrid. "France's Sarkozy says "not reasonable" to meet as G8," Reuters. July 5, 2008; Pascal Liétout, Pascal. "Nicolas Sarkozy veut ouvrir le G8 à la Chine, l'Inde, l'Afrique," L'Express (Paris). July 5, 2008.
  8. ^ <<Harper s'envole pour le Japon,>> Radio-Canada. July 5, 2008. (in French)
  9. ^ a b Liétout, Pascal. <<La France espère voir les Européens jouer un "rôle pivot" au G8,>> Le Point (Paris). July 5, 2008. (in French) Cite error: The named reference "lietout1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Merkel demands G8 pledge on carbon<' The Age (Melbourne). July 5, 2008.
  11. ^ "G8: Berlusconi Arrivato in Giappone, da Domani il Summit," AGI (Agenzia Giornalistica Italia). July 5, 2008. (in Italian)
  12. ^ Yao, Amber. "Medvedev: G8 summit offers opportunity to jointly tackle global challenges," Xinhua. July 4, 2008.
  13. ^ "Bush Heads to Japan for G8 Summit, VOA (Voice of America). July 5, 2008.
  14. ^ Saidani, Hamid. [http://www.lakoom-info.com/news/news_juillet2008/news_id07052.htm <<L’UPM sera au centre des discussions, Entretien Bouteflika-Sarkozy au Japon,>> Lakoom-info (Paris). July 5, 2008. (in French)
  15. ^ Stewart, Cameron. "Perfect Timing for Kevin Rudd's Trip to Australia," The Australian (Melbourne). July 5, 2008.
  16. ^ Munari, Carmen. "Agenda política - Lula participa de reunião do G8 no Japão," O Globo (São Paulo). July 4, 2008 (in Portugese).
  17. ^ Lian, Yan. "Japanese ambassador: G8 Summit to highlight African issues," Xinhua (Beijing)> July 5, 2008.
  18. ^ "President Kufuor leaves for G8 summit," Joy Online. July 5, 2008.
  19. ^ "G-8: world economy will be in focus," The Hindu (Chenai). July 5, 2008.
  20. ^ Liang, Yan. "Indonesian president to speak on food security at G8+8 summit," Xinhua (Beijing). July 2, 2008.
  21. ^ "México: presidente Calderón viaja a Japón por cumbre G8 y visita China," Univision (Mexico). July 4, 2008. (in Spanish)
  22. ^ Ravichandran, R. "Nigerian President Skipping D-8" (Group of 8 Islamic Developing Countries), Bernama, Malaysian National News Agency (Kuala Lumpur). July 3, 2008.
  23. ^ "President Hu to attend G8 summit in Japan," China Daily (Beijing). July 2, 2008.
  24. ^ <<G8 – Afrique, Des promesses mais pas beaucoup d’argent,>> Lakoom-info (Paris). July 5, 2008. (in French)
  25. ^ Liang, Yan. "Mbeki to attend G-8 outreach session in Japan," Xinhua (Beijing). July 6, 2008.
  26. ^ "Pres. Lee to Attend G8 Summit," The Chosun Ilbo (Seoul). June 26, 2008.
  27. ^ a b "Support for Africa's development not just a moral imperative; it is critical to global security, Deputy Secretary-General tells African Union assembly," ReliefWeb, UN-OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs). June 30, 2008. Cite error: The named reference "un-ocha1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  28. ^ a b c d e f Reuters (India): "Factbox -- Schedule for G8 Summit and Surrounding Events News." July 3, 2008. Cite error: The named reference "reuters7-3" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  29. ^ Kubota, Yoko and Edwina Gibbs. "Several thousand anti-G8 protesters rally in Japan," Reuters. July 5, 2008; "Police detain four protesters during anti-globalization rally," The Hindu (Chenai). July 5, 2008.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Japan, MOFA: Schedule Cite error: The named reference "mofa1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  31. ^ Japan, MOFA: African Development, Japan's perspective, June 30, 2008.
  32. ^ Prospective Agenda for the 2008 G8 Hokkaido Summit,, G8 Information Centre (Canada). April 30, 2007
  33. ^ Japan, MOFA: Japan's road to G8 summit
  34. ^ a b The Japan G8 in 2008: a New Year’s Resolution for delivery on the big questions? , ODI Blog, published December 20, 2007-12-20, accessed 2008-01-02
  35. ^ Japan, MOFA: Climate change, Japan's perspective, June 30, 2008.
  36. ^ wikileaks.org: ACTA Full text (176 KB) , wikileaks.org, accessed 2008-05-25
  37. ^ wikileaks.org: ACTA , wikileaks.org, accessed 2008-05-25
  38. ^ a b G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit: Main Themes , Japan MOFA, accessed 2008-01-02
  39. ^ "G8 Action Network". G8 Action Network. Retrieved 2008-06-29. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  40. ^ "Let's Join in G8 Action Network Action Against Social Exclusion and Call for Fair Labor - Join Us in the Movement Against G8". No G8 Action Japan. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
  41. ^ "Protesters rally ahead of G8 summit," PressTV. July 5, 2008.
  42. ^ "G8 Media Network Working Units". G8 Media Network. 2008-06-29. Retrieved 2008-06-29. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  43. ^ a b "Resistance action against police in Kamagasaki," Indymedia. June 17, 2008. Cite error: The named reference "kamagasaki_imcjp" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  44. ^ a b c d e Reuters: "Factbox: What happened at the last five G8 summits." July 2, 2008. Cite error: The named reference "reuters7-2" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  45. ^ a b c Japan, MOFA: Africa on agenda at Gleneagles, St. Petersburg, Heiligendamm. June 30, 2008. Cite error: The named reference "mofa2a" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  46. ^ Panova, Victoria. "Impressions of the 2005 Gleneagles Summit," G8 Information Centre, 2005 Gleneagles Summit Analytical Studies. July 18, 2005.
  47. ^ Japan, MOFA: Climate change on agenda at Heiligendamm. June 30, 2008.
  48. ^ a b Fukada, Takahiro. "G8 Countdown; ¥60 billion G8 budget draws flak," Japan Times Online (Tokyo). July 1, 2008. Cite error: The named reference "fukada1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  49. ^ a b Ryall, Julian. "G8 summit to be guarded by 40,000 police," The Independent (London). July 4, 2008. Cite error: The named reference "Ryall_1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  50. ^ McCurry, Justin. "G8 summit: Breathtaking venue with no protesters to spoil the view," Guardian (Manchester). July 5, 2008.

External links

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2008 		Succeeded by
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