What is the G8?
The G8 is the grouping of the world's seven richest industrial nations (the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada) plus Russia, which joined in 1997.
Previously, the group was known as the G7. It has held regular meetings since 1975 to discuss economic problems and, more recently, issues such as development, the EU leaders' personal data leaked after EU-US summit ...
President Barack Obama unveils the 'First Puppy' ... environment and global security.
Who is hosting the current G8 summit?
The current chair of the G8 is Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The summit was originally set to be held in the Sardinian seaside resort of La Maddalena, but Berlusconi decided to move it to the city of L'Aquila in Abruzzo after the area was struck by a powerful earthquake in April 2009. He said there was no better way to focus attention on the region's plight, and hopefully funnel additional reconstruction funds there.
Who is attending the summit?
In addition to the leaders of the G8 nations, the leaders of Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa are expected to attend. The summit will be the first for both US President Barack Obama, and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso.
What issues will be discussed?
At a news conference ahead of the summit, Berlusconi said that the violent crackdown on protests following Iran's election will be at the top of the summit's agenda, and that sanctions against Tehran would be discussed.
Climate change is also expected to be high on the agenda, especially with US President Obama still fresh from his first legislative success on climate policy. Obama has said he wants the US to lead the world in fighting climate change.
World leaders are also expected to press for new negotiations aimed at removing international trade barriers. Berlusconi has said he hopes to send a signal to the World Trade Organization to convene a new Doha round of trade talks to reanimate stalled negotiations.
With regard to development, the leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues relating to Africa's development, including a lack in progress toward meeting the UN's Millennium Development Goals.
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(Deutsche Welle)
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