The G8 and the G20
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What are the G8 and the G20?
The G8 ("Group of Eight") is an economic and political discussion forum that brings together eight of the world's biggest economic powers: the United States, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Russia and Canada. 1
Since it was established, the G8 has been meeting annually with a view to encouraging international cooperation in finding solutions to global problems. These involve a variety of issues, including health, education, peace and security and, more recently, climate change.
The G20 ("Group of Twenty"), formed a few years ago, has gradually become the principal forum for discussing the global economic system and addressing issues of stability and development. The G20 is composed of members of the G8 plus 12 emerging economic powers, including Brazil, China and India.2
Representing nearly 85% of world output, the leaders of the G8 and the G20 are more than able to mobilize the resources needed to lead countries of the South towards prosperity.
Do G8 promises make a real difference?
Absolutely, provided they are kept.
In 2005, at Gleneagles, the G8 cancelled the debt of 40 of the world's poorest countries. Thanks to that measure, the people of Zambia now have access to free medicines, and the number of child deaths linked to poverty has dropped.
In that same year, G8 leaders promised a $50 billion boost in international assistance by the year 2010. Even though they fall far short of that increase, aid levels have since gone up by $27 billion. As a result, thousands of children can now go to school, teachers and health workers can receive training, and mothers can give birth safely.
Yet many of the G8 promises remain unkept. Leaders have not been held accountable for their commitments. That's why it is important to take your place At the Table with our leaders, to demand that they keep their word.
1 Formed initially as the G7, in 1976, the group was expanded to include Russia in 1998, and so became the G8.
2 The members of the G20 are: G8, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, and the European Union (observer status).
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