The G8, which stands for the 'Group of Eight' nations, represents the world's major industrialised democracies. It was formed in 1975 when the leaders of Japan, the USA, Germany, France, the UK and Italy met to discuss the economic problems of the day. Canada joined in 1976, creating the G7. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia was invited to join in 1998, bringing the number up to eight. All meetings of the G8 also include representation from the European Union.
Over the years the G8 countries have taken a leadership role in fighting the challenges of development, providing nearly 70% of global aid and launching a series of global initiatives that have significantly helped some of the poorest people in the world.
Whether it is the Global Fund to fight Aids Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative (AFSI), the Muskoka Initiative on Mother and Child Health or support for universal access to primary education and health care, the G8 has been essential in providing the political will and resources necessary to make progress.
Every year there is one summit meeting attended by the leaders of the eight nations. Before each summit DFID briefs the Prime Minister and his officials on key development issues.
We also maintain a dialogue throughout the year with the other seven countries on development priorities.
The most recent summit of G8 leaders took place on 18-19 May 2012 in Camp David, under the US presidency. The focus this year was on hunger in Africa. The then Secretary of State for DFID, Andrew Mitchell, took part alongside President Obama, Secretary Clinton, African Heads of State, business leaders and other international partners in the launch of the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition on the eve of the Summit
The New Alliance is a commitment by G8 nations, African countries, business leaders and NGOs to lift 50 million people out of poverty over the next 10 years through inclusive and sustained agricultural growth.
Speaking to the Houses of Parliament following the Camp David Summit, Prime Minister David Cameron said that the New Alliance was a great combination of promoting good governance and helping Africa to feed its people. Encouraging the private sector to create jobs is one of the best routes to sustainable, equitable growth in poorer countries
Mr Cameron also noted that for the first time in a decade the amount of aid given by the world’s richest countries has fallen back. He said:
“Promises are being broken. This is wrong. Britain continues to honour its commitments. Other nations should do likewise - and in our G8 next year we will once again produce the report which shows who has and who hasn’t.”
For more details and a copy of the Summit Declaration, the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, the Camp David Accountability Report and other G8 documents visit the official G8 Camp David website.
The UK will assume the Presidency of the G8 on 1st January 2013. The Presidency will last for the year, but the highlight will be the G8 Summit, which will take place in Lough Erne in Northern Ireland on 17-18 June.
The Prime Minister has announced that Lough Erne 2013 will focus on three ways in which the G8 can support the development of open economies, open governments and open societies to unleash the power of the private sector: advancing trade, ensuring tax compliance and promoting greater transparency.
The Prime Minister has also announced that the UK will hold an event on food and nutrition a few days before the G8 Summit, to follow up on the Olympic Hunger Summit, which the UK co-hosted with Brazil in August 2012.
Read the Prime Minister's recent article on the G8 presidency
Further information on the development priorities for the UK’s G8 Presidency will be available in due course.
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