Big Eight (group of eight, g8). "Big Eight". G8 countries
Group of Eight (English: Group of Eight, G8), “Big Eight” is an international club uniting the governments of Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, Russia, the USA, France and Japan. The same name is given to the informal forum of the leaders of these countries (with the participation of the European Commission), within the framework of which approaches to pressing international problems are coordinated.
The G8 is not international organization, it is not based on an international treaty, has no charter and secretariat. G8 decisions are not binding. As a rule, we are talking about recording the intention of the parties to adhere to an agreed line or about recommendations to other participants international life apply certain approaches to solving certain issues.
Since the G8 does not have a charter, it is therefore impossible to officially accept the status of a member of this institution. Since 1996, after the club’s meeting in Moscow, Russia began to take an increasingly active part in the work of the club. According to an unspoken rule, G8 summits are held annually in rotation in each of the member states. In Russia, the summit took place in 2006 in St. Petersburg (the club meeting, which took place in Moscow in 1996, was not recognized as a summit).
The term "Big Eight" is a logical continuation of the term "Big Seven", which arose in Russian journalism from the erroneous decoding of the English abbreviation G7 as "Great Seven", although in fact it stands for "Group of Seven" ( "Group of Seven")
Initially, at a meeting of the heads of state and government of France, the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan at the Rambouillet Palace on November 15-17, 1975, the “Big Six” arose, which a year later turned into the “Big Seven”, accepting Canada into its membership , and during 1991-2002. gradually (according to the “7+1” scheme) transformed into the “Big Eight” with the participation of Russia.
The idea of holding executive meetings in the most industrialized way developed countries peace arose in the early 1970s in connection with the economic crisis and worsening relations between the United States, Western Europe and Japan on economic and financial issues.
The first meeting (November 15-17, 1975), on the initiative of the then French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, brought together the heads of state and government of six countries: the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan. The meeting adopted a Joint Declaration on Economic Issues, which calls for non-aggression in the trade area and a refusal to establish new discriminatory barriers. Subsequently, meetings are held annually.
The Chairman of the G8 is during each calendar year the head of one of the member countries on a rotating basis.
Meetings of the heads of state and government of the G8 countries are held annually (usually in the summer) in the next presiding country. In addition to the heads of state and government of the member countries, the meetings are attended by 2 representatives of the European Union, namely the President of the European Commission and the head of the country holding the presidency of the at the moment weight. The agenda of the summit is formed by Sherpas - trusted representatives of the leaders of the G8 countries.
Topics and venues of the G8 meetings:
1975 – Rambouillet. Unemployment, inflation, energy crisis, structural reform of the international monetary system.
1976 – San Juan. International trade, relations between East and West.
1977 – London. Youth unemployment, the role of the IMF in stabilizing the world economy, alternative energy sources that reduce the dependence of developed countries on oil exporters.
1978 – Bonn. Measures to curb inflation, assistance developing countries through the World Bank and regional development banks.
1979 – Tokyo. Rising oil prices, energy shortages, the need for development nuclear energy, the problem of refugees from Indochina.
1980 – Venice. Rising oil prices, increasing foreign debt of developing countries, Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, international terrorism.
1981 – Montebello. The growth of the world's population, economic relations with the East taking into account the security interests of the West, the situation in the Middle East, the build-up of weapons in the USSR.
1982 – Versailles. Development of economic relations with the USSR and Eastern European countries, the situation in Lebanon.
1983 - Williamsburg. The financial situation in the world, the debts of developing countries, arms control.
1984 – London. The beginning of the recovery of the world economy, the Iran-Iraq conflict, the fight against international terrorism, support for democratic values.
1985 – Bonn. The Dangers of Economic Protectionism, Conservation Policy environment, cooperation in the field of science and technology.
1986 – Tokyo. Determination of medium-term tax and financial policies, ways to combat international terrorism, the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
1987 – Venice. The situation in agriculture, lowering interest rates on external debts for the poorest countries, global climate change, perestroika in the USSR.
1988 – Toronto. The role of Asia-Pacific countries in international trade, debts of the poorest countries and changes in the payment schedule to the Paris Club, the beginning of withdrawal Soviet troops from Afghanistan, contingents of Soviet troops in Eastern Europe.
1989 – Paris. Dialogue with the "Asian Tigers", the economic situation in Yugoslavia, developing a strategy towards debtor countries, the rise of drug addiction, cooperation in the fight against AIDS, human rights in China, economic reforms in Eastern Europe, the Arab-Israeli conflict.
1990 – London. Investments and loans for Central and Eastern European countries, the situation in the USSR and assistance Soviet Union in the creation market economy, creation of a favorable investment climate in developing countries, unification of Germany.
1991 - Houston. Financial assistance war-affected Gulf countries, migration to G7 countries, non-proliferation of nuclear, chemical, biological and conventional weapons.
1992 – Munich. Environmental problems, support for market reforms in Poland, relations with the CIS countries, ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities in these countries, partnership between the G7 and Asia-Pacific countries, the role of the OSCE in ensuring equal rights for national and other minorities, the situation in the former Yugoslavia.
1993 – Tokyo. The situation in countries with economies in transition, destruction nuclear weapons in the CIS, compliance with the missile technology control regime, the deterioration of the situation in the former Yugoslavia, efforts for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East.
1994 – Naples. Economic development in the Middle East, nuclear security in Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS, international crime and money laundering, the situation in Sarajevo, North Korea after the death of Kim Il Sung.
1995 – Halifax. New form holding summits, reform of international institutions - the IMF, the World Bank, prevention of economic crises and strategies for overcoming them, the situation in the former Yugoslavia.
1996 – Moscow (meeting). Nuclear safety, fight against illegal trade nuclear materials, the situation in Lebanon and the Middle East peace process, the situation in Ukraine.
1996 – Lyon (summit). Global partnership, integration of countries with economies in transition into the world economic community, international terrorism, the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
1997 – Denver. Population aging, development of small and medium-sized businesses, ecology and children's health, spread of infectious diseases, transnational organized crime, human cloning, UN reform, space exploration, anti-personnel mines, political situation in Hong Kong, the Middle East, Cyprus and Albania.
1998 – Birmingham. New format meetings - "leaders only", finance ministers and foreign ministers hold meetings in the run-up to summits. Global and regional security.
1999 – Cologne. Social significance globalization of the economy, writing off debts to the poorest countries, combating international crime in the financial sector.
2000 – Nago. Impact of development information technology on economics and finance, tuberculosis control, education, biotechnology, conflict prevention.
2001 – Genoa. Development problems, poverty alleviation, food security, the problem of ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, nuclear disarmament, the role of non-governmental organizations, the situation in the Balkans and the Middle East.
2002 – Kananaskis. Helping developing countries in Africa, fighting terrorism and strengthening global economic growth, ensuring the security of international cargo.
2003 – Evian-les-Bains. Economy, sustainable development, and security and counter-terrorism.
2004 – Sea Island. Issues of global economics and security, the situation in Iraq and the Middle East, relations between Russia and Japan, problems of freedom of speech.
2005 – Gleneagles. Global climate change and assistance to the poorest countries in Africa.
2006 – St. Petersburg. Energy security, demography and education, strengthening and expanding cooperation in the fight against terrorism. The situation in the Middle East.
2007 – Heiligendamm. Fight with global changes climate change and assistance to the poorest countries in Africa
2008 – Toyako. Combating rising food and fuel prices, as well as inflation in general.
2009 - L "Aquila Global economic crisis of 2008-2009.
2010 – Huntsville. Issues of global socio-economic development and additional assistance to poor and developing countries, problems international security, joint fight against terrorism, nuclear programs of the DPRK and Iran, the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
2011 – Deauville. Nuclear crisis in Japan, civil war in Libya, energy issues and climate change, food security and nutrition, economic transformation in Afghanistan, changes in the Middle East and North Africa.
2012 – Camp David. Global economic issues, the state of the world economy, military conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, the civil war in Syria, the nuclear programs of the DPRK and Iran, the crisis in the Eurozone, the debt crisis of Greece and Spain, the status of Greece in the EU, the state of the economy and drug trafficking in Afghanistan, energy security issues, environmental issues, food security in Africa, gender equality.
2013 – Lough Erne. The conflict in Syria, issues of tax policy and the creation of a free trade zone between the US and the EU.
The 40th G8 summit was scheduled for June 4-5, 2014 in Sochi, however, on March 3, 2014, in connection with the Crimean crisis, the leaders of all countries except Russia announced the suspension of participation in the summit. Thus, the summit was in jeopardy. There was a proposal to exclude Russia from the group. On March 18, 2014, it was announced that Western countries had agreed to suspend Russia's participation in the group.
G20
Big Eight (G8, Group of eight) is an international club that brings together governments following countries: Japan, France, USA, Russia, Canada, Italy, Germany and Great Britain (see Fig. 1).
(Fig. 1 – G8 member countries)
The term “Big Eight” is a continuation of the term “Big Seven”, which arose in Russian journalism as a result of the erroneous interpretation of the abbreviation G7 as “Great Seven”. In fact, the G7 is a “Group of Seven”, i.e. “group of seven” (the above member countries excluding Russia). It is logical to assume that the G8 is actually the G8
The same name (G8) is the name given to the informal forum of leaders of these countries, held with the participation of the European Commission. Within the framework of this forum, approaches to the most pressing international problems are being coordinated.
The G8 is not an international organization. It has no secretariat or charter, and is not based on any international treaty. G8 decisions are not binding. It's about, as a rule, only about recording the intention of the participating parties to adhere to the agreed line, as well as about recommendations to other participants to use certain approaches in solving certain current issues.
Meetings of the governments of countries and heads of state of the G8 are held most often in the summer, annually, in the next chairing country. In addition to the governments and heads of state of the member countries, two representatives from the European Union take part in the meetings: the head of the country that currently holds the EU presidency and the EU President himself. The agenda of the summit is formed by Sherpas - trusted representatives of the leaders of the G8 countries.
Since the G8 does not have a charter, it is impossible to officially accept the status of a member of this institution. The G8 is chaired for each calendar year by the leader of one of the participating countries in the following rotation order: France, the USA, then the UK, Russia (since 2006), Germany, Japan, as well as Italy and Canada (since 1981).
The G8 is an informal forum of leaders of leading industrialized democratic countries, whose members are Russia, the USA, Great Britain, France, Japan, Germany, Canada, Italy, and the EU is also represented and fully participates. The G8 member countries account for 49% of world exports, 51% industrial production, 49% of IMF assets. Within the framework of the G8, approaches to current international problems are being coordinated.
The history of the G8 (formerly the G7) began in November 1975, when, on the initiative of French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, the first meeting of the leaders of six countries took place in Rambouillet (France), which Canada joined a year later. Since 1977, meetings are attended by representatives of the EU leadership ( European Union at G8 summits he is always represented by the President of the Commission of the European Communities and the President of the European Council).
The first Russian contacts with the Group of Seven took place during the Soviet era. On July 17, 1991, in London, on the sidelines of the summit, work meeting USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev with the leaders of the G7. Subsequently, the leaders of the Group of Seven countries adhered to a similar format for holding meetings with the Russian president.
The formation of the G8 began in 1994 at a summit in Naples, Italy. Its first part was held in the "seven" format, and the second - in the "eight" format with the participation of Russian President as an equal partner.
The summit in Lyon (France) in June 1996 was held in three stages: the first (in the G7 format) was devoted to the consideration of a number of international economic issues, the second and third - a discussion with the participation of Russia of the entire complex of global and foreign policy problems.
As an equal partner, Russia was admitted to the G8 at the summit in Denver (USA) in 1997. In the final communiqué, the partners acknowledged that Russia “is completing its historical transformation into a democratic state with a market economy.”
The G8 is not an international organization. It is not based on an international treaty and does not have formally defined admission criteria, charter or permanent secretariat. The G8 decisions are in the nature of political obligations of the participating states.
G8 summits are held annually alternately in partner countries, and the country hosting the meeting in top level, serves during the calendar year as Chairman of the G8. It organizes the summit, ministerial, expert and working meetings, develops a schedule and ensures coordination of all current work of the G8.
Discussions between heads of state and government take place in a narrow circle (only Sherpas, personal representatives of the leaders, are allowed). When making decisions, the principle of consensus applies.
Country summits" big eight"for a number of years have been accompanied by anti-globalization protests. Thus, the G8 summit in July 2001 in Genoa (Italy) served as the occasion for one of the loudest anti-globalist actions in the history. 120 thousand people took to the streets. As a result of clashes with the police, a demonstrator was killed Carlo Giuliani - he became the first victim of anti-globalist protests. Later, a native woman died under the wheels of a car. French city Nice Susan Bendotti. 200 people were injured of varying severity, hundreds were arrested.
During the G8 meeting in St. Petersburg in July 2006, the “counter-summit” of anti-globalists gathered about one and a half thousand participants. To hold events, the anti-globalists were given a place that was chosen by them - at the Kirov Stadium. As part of the “counter-summit”, a “social forum”, a symposium on educational issues and a seminar on protection issues were held social rights.
Anti-globalists expressed gratitude to the Russian government for providing them with the opportunity to visit St. Petersburg during the G8 summit and hold their alternative meeting.
In 2010, in Huntsville, Canada, a “free speech zone” was created specifically for protesters a few kilometers from the place where the heads of the G8 met. But there was no activity of anti-globalists.
In 2011, in France, anti-globalists spoke in Le Havre, 40 kilometers from the summit site and serious problems the organizers did not create.
In 2012, the G8 summit took place without numerous anti-globalization protests and was not marked by riots or clashes with the police.
On June 11, 2013, in London, pickets of anti-globalists and anarchists protesting against the G8 summit in Northern Ireland took place in the central squares of the British capital. Protesters periodically blocked traffic, creating numerous traffic jams.
For various offenses, including disobedience to the police and attempts to impede the movement of traffic by law enforcement officers. One of the anti-globalists tried to jump from the roof of the building, but was captured by the police who arrived.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
Initially, this association included six countries with the largest economies at the time of 1975: the USA, England, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. A year later, this unique international club was replenished by Canada and turned into the “Big Seven” (G7). The main goal This union was the joint overcoming of the economic crisis of the early 70s, and the participating countries immediately adopted a Declaration excluding aggressive trade policies that could harm partners. Obviously, there would have been a place for Russia in this “club,” but it only joined it in 2002, and most of the regular participants were in favor of the somewhat strange “7+1” format. In any case, experts around the world now refer to this union as the “Big Eight” or G8.
G8 summits
If in the first years of the formation of this elite club, problems of the global economy were on the agenda, today at the annual meetings, which are called G8 summits, a variety of issues are discussed:
- ecology
- humanitarian aid
- social problems
- children's health
- military conflicts
- crime
- problems of freedom of speech and many others.
Each new summit is hosted by one of the member countries of the union, and its topic is announced in advance. So, in 2006, the leaders of the G8 met in St. Petersburg, where they discussed education, demography, energy security, the fight against terrorism, as well as the difficult situation that existed at that time in the Middle East.
It is impossible not to note the fact that each new meeting of the G8 causes more and more criticism from other states, which are forced to remain only outside observers when solving truly global issues. Today one can often hear accusations against this unofficial union of hegemonism and even undemocraticism. The latest summits took place against the backdrop of large-scale rallies of anti-globalists, who call on the world to discuss more humane, in their opinion, world development programs.
Big Eight: goals and objectives of today
Since the G8 is represented by the world's largest economies, the participating countries are interested in accelerating integration processes and coordinating financial and economic ties. Along with maintaining a common and coordinated anti-crisis policy, these are the main goals of the G8 at the present time, as confirmed by the themes of the latest summits. At the same time, among the tasks of the elite club there is always the solution of current political issues, and it should be noted that on the sidelines they are most often given a unanimous assessment. As a result - in any
In situations, the G8 leaders present a united front, which further enhances the impact of their decisions on the world order.
Will the elite club become a seven again?
The Crimean crisis that began in March of this year actually suspended the Russian Federation’s membership in this association: the June summit was held in the G7 format, and proposals were made at it to permanently exclude Russia from the elite club. Today, this issue is still in limbo, and not a single expert can predict its quick solution.
The so-called Group of Seven was formed in the 70s of the twentieth century. It can hardly be called a full-fledged organization. It is rather a simple international forum. Nevertheless, the list of which is given in this article has influence on the world political arena.
Briefly about G7
"Big Seven", "Group of Seven" or simply G7 - this club of leading states is called differently in the world. It is a mistake to call this forum an international organization, since this community does not have its own charter and secretariat. And the decisions made by the G7 are not binding.
Initially, the abbreviation G7 included the decoding of “Group of Seven” (in the original: Group of Seven). However Russian journalists back in the early 1990s it was interpreted as Great Seven. After this, the term “Big Seven” became entrenched in Russian journalism.
Our article lists all the G7 countries (the list is presented below), as well as their capitals.
History of the formation of the international club
Initially, the Group of Seven had a G6 format (Canada joined the club a little later). The leaders of the six leading states of the planet first met in this format in November 1975. The initiator of the meeting was French President Valéry Giscard D'Estaing. The main topics of that meeting were the problems of unemployment, inflation, and the global energy crisis.
In 1976, Canada joined the group, and in the 1990s, the G7 was replenished with Russia, gradually transforming into
The idea of creating such a forum was in the air back in the early 70s of the last century. Powerful of the world This was prompted by the energy crisis, as well as the worsening relations between Europe and the United States. Since 1976, the G7 has met annually.
The following section lists all G7 countries. The list includes the capitals of all these states. Representatives from each country are also listed (as of 2015).
"Big Seven" countries of the world (list)
Which states are included today?
Below are all the G7 countries (list) and their capitals:
- USA, Washington (representative - Barack Obama).
- Canada, Ottawa (Justin Trudeau).
- Japan, Tokyo (Shinzo Abe).
- Great Britain, London (David Cameron).
- Germany, Berlin (Angela Merkel).
- France, Paris
- Italy, Rome (Mateo Renzi).
If you look at political map, then we can conclude that the countries included in the G7 are concentrated exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere of the planet. Four of them are in Europe, one is in Asia, and two more states are located in America.
G7 summits
The G7 countries meet annually at their summits. Meetings are held alternately in the cities of each state from among the members of the “Group”. This unspoken rule continues to this day.
A number of famous cities hosted the G7 summits: London, Tokyo, Bonn, St. Petersburg, Munich, Naples and others. Some of them managed to host leading world politicians twice or even three times.
The topics of the G7 meetings and conferences vary. In the 1970s, issues of inflation and unemployment were most often raised, the problem of the rapid rise in oil prices was discussed, and dialogue was being established between East and West. In the 1980s, the G7 became concerned about AIDS and the rapid growth of the world's population. In the early 1990s, the world experienced a lot of major geopolitical cataclysms (the collapse of the USSR and Yugoslavia, the formation of new states, etc.). Of course, all these processes became main theme for discussion at the G7 summits.
The new millennium has brought new challenges global problems: climate change, poverty, local military conflicts and others.
G7 and Russia
In the mid-90s, Russia began to actively integrate into the work of the G7. Already in 1997, G7, in fact, changed its format and turned into G8.
The Russian Federation remained a member of the elite international club until 2014. In June, the country was even preparing to host the G8 summit in Sochi. However, the leaders of the other seven states refused to take part in it, and the summit was moved to Brussels. The reason for this was the conflict in Ukraine and the fact of annexation Crimean peninsula to the territory of the Russian Federation. The leaders of the USA, Canada, Germany and other G7 countries do not yet see the possibility of returning Russia to the G7.
In conclusion...
The G7 countries (the list of which is presented in this article) undoubtedly have a significant influence on the Throughout the history of its existence, the G7 has held several dozen meetings and forums at which pressing issues and global problems were discussed. The members of the G7 are the USA, Canada, Japan, Great Britain, Germany, France and Italy.