G8: Background
How it all started...
The first Summit, with six countries participating, took place because of concerns about the economic
problems that faced the world. It was held in 1975 in Rambouillet, France, and since then, the group
has grown to eight countries. The process has evolved from a forum dealing essentially with
macroeconomic issues to an annual meeting with a broad-based agenda that addresses a wide range of
international economic, political and social issues. The history of the G8 shows how the Summit process
has adapted to changing needs.
Ministerial meetings
Foreign and finance ministers have always played a key role in the G7/G8, meeting with the Leaders at
the Summit site itself; and, since the Birmingham Summit (1998), they have met in the weeks and
months before the Summit. A meeting of the G8 Foreign Ministers is held twice a year, in the weeks
prior to the G8 Leaders' Summit and on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in the
fall. As the G8 agenda has grown, other ministerial meetings have taken place. G7/G8 ministers may
also meet on an ad hoc basis to deal with the most pressing issues.
Canada joins in
Canada joined the group in 1976, at the Puerto Rico Summit hosted by the United States. The
European Commission (EC) joined the group the following year at the London Summit as a permanent
non-hosting member. The EC participates in all meetings and the President of the European Union is
invited to the Summit.
Canada has hosted three Summits since 1976: in 1981, in Ottawa-Montebello; in 1988, in Toronto;
and in 1995, in Halifax.
G8: Recent Summits
The 1995 Halifax Summit set the standard for more results-oriented, informal and businesslike summits.
Its agenda, to reform international institutions, has led to significant changes at the World Bank, the
International Monetary Fund and other organizations. This year was also important for the issues of
counterterrorism and crime. G8 ministers responsible for counterterrorism held a ministerial meeting in
Ottawa and adopted the Ottawa Declaration and Guidelines of Action, which set out a
counterterrorism strategy consistent with human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
The Summit of the Eight in Denver in 1997 introduced Russia as a full
partner of the G8. The Cologne Summit in 1999 launched the Cologne Debt
Initiative, which went further than ever before in addressing the
problem of poor countries' debts: to date, relief has been agreed upon
for 24 countries, yielding more than $36 billion in debt-service relief
over time. Canada was a leader in this initiative.
While economic issues dominate the G8 agenda, leaders also include
pressing issues of the day in their discussions. For example, terrorism
has been on the agenda of most Summits since 1978; drugs and
international crime were discussed in Birmingham in 1998; and the
conflict in Kosovo was discussed in Cologne. At the Okinawa Summit in
2000, leaders agreed to provide new funding to address infectious
diseases. As well, an innovative program was begun to bridge the digital
divide.
The Genoa Summit in 2001
In Genoa, G8 leaders were joined by several African leaders who
introduced the New African initiative (now known as the New Partnership
for Africa's Development). G8 leaders gave their support to this
initiative by designating personal representatives who, under the
guidance of Canada, now liaise with the representatives of committed
African leaders on the development of a concrete Action Plan to be
approved at the Kananaskis Summit in 2002. In addition, G8 leaders and
the UN Secretary-General announced a global fund to fight HIV/AIDS,
malaria and tuberculosis. The G8 leaders committed US$1.3 billion to
this fund, including Canada's contribution of US$100 million. Leaders
also agreed to the Genoa Plan of Action to bridge the digital divide,
based on the recommendation of the Digital Opportunity Task Force.
The Kananaskis Summit in 2002
In January 2002, Canada assumed the Presidency of the G8. The 2002
Kananaskis G8 Summit will be a small, retreat-style meeting that will
focus on three priorities: strengthening global economic growth;
building a new partnership for Africa's development; and fighting
terrorism. In addition, leaders will review progress since their last
meeting in three areas related to global poverty reduction and the
Millennium Development Goals: promoting universal primary education;
fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases; and
bridging the digital divide. More information on the Summit can be found
at: www.g8.gc.ca/menu-e.asp
G8: How the G8 Works
The G8 is an informal group of eight countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the
United Kingdom and the United States of America. The European Union also participates as a
permanent non-hosting member.
The Chair of the G8 rotates on a calendar-year basis among the seven original members in the following
order: France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada. Although
Russia and the European Union participate in discussions, they are not part of this rotation.
The country holding the Chair--currently Canada--is responsible for hosting and organizing the
Summit. This annual meeting of Leaders provides an opportunity for face-to-face discussions on key
issues. The Chair also bears the responsibility of speaking on behalf of the G8 and of engaging non-G8
countries, non-governmental organizations and international organizations. More information on the
Summit Process can be found at: www.g8.gc.ca/abouthow-e.asp
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