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G8 in 2008

What is happening with the G8 in 2008?

In 2008 we will be half way to our 2015 target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and while progress has been made many of the targets are off-track, particularly in sub-saharan Africa. It is important that the G8 Summit in Japan plays it’s part in the global effort to get back on track. The Japanese G8 Presidency is expected to focus on Climate Change & Development in both Asia & Africa with a particular emphasis on Global Health. On climate change we expect the Japanese to promote their "Cool Earth 50" initiative, with its emphasis on a 50% reduction in global emissions by 2050. When the full agenda is announced it will be found on the Japanese G8 Presidency website.

TICAD IV

In May 2008, just before the G8 Summit, the Japanese will also host the fourth meeting of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV). This major conference brings African Heads of State together in Tokyo with the Japanese PM and senior donor representatives every five years. It is organised by the Japanese Government, the UNDP and the World Bank. Japan has said that they will focus on achieving the MDGs at the TICAD IV conference and this will be an important part of the lead up to the development agenda at the G8 Summit.

From January 2008 until the G8 summit at Toyako on Hokkaido Island on 6-8 July, there will be regular meetings of the G8 ‘Sherpas’ who represent the Heads of State of each of the G8 countries, at which the agenda items will be discussed in more detail. DFID is playing an active role in UK Government-wide efforts to secure ambitious outcomes from this year’s summit that will have a real impact on the lives of poor people across the world.

What about delivering on our Gleneagles commitments?

Overall we are making good progress on implementing Gleneagles commitments. Successes include the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, the International Finance Facility for Immunisation, the UN Peace-building Commission and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, among others. But there are still significant barriers to progress in areas such as aid volume targets, trade, African peacekeeping and tackling climate change. We are working closely with the Japanese and other G8 partners to ensure that a strong focus remains on delivering what was promised in 2005. We have a strong cross-Whitehall strategy to lobby donors on their aid volumes commitments, and are working to ensure that the link between development and climate change is clearly recognised and that measures taken at the Japanese summit build on our Gleneagles priorities and work towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. We monitor UK and international progress on delivering on Gleneagles on a regular basis. More information can be found on Gleneagles - monitoring the commitments.

Last updated: 29 February 2008