The G8 is not an international organisation, nor does it have an administrative staff with a permanent secretariat. It is rather a process that culminates in an annual Summit at which the Heads of State and Government of the member countries hold talks with a view to finding solutions to the main world issues, which are summed up in the “Final Statement".
The G8’s membership comprises the main industrialised countries. Its members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Commission attends as well.
The group’s first meeting was held in Rambouillet, France in 1975 at the invitation of then President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing.The last G8 Summit was held in Italy, the city of L'Aquila from 8 to 10 July 2009.The Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate was also held alongside the Summit. Since 2007, besides the G8, the Summit has included the five Outreach Countries (the G5) comprising Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. The MEF consist of 17 members which are the G8, the G5 and Australia, the European Union, Indonesia and South Korea.
The Presidency rotates in the following order: France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada. The European Union-via the European Commission-attends the G8, but neither chair nor host the G8 Summit.
The G8’s membership comprises the main industrialised countries. Its members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Commission attends as well.
The group’s first meeting was held in Rambouillet, France in 1975 at the invitation of then President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing.The last G8 Summit was held in Italy, the city of L'Aquila from 8 to 10 July 2009.The Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate was also held alongside the Summit. Since 2007, besides the G8, the Summit has included the five Outreach Countries (the G5) comprising Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. The MEF consist of 17 members which are the G8, the G5 and Australia, the European Union, Indonesia and South Korea.
The G8 Presidency
The G8 Presidency works to define the topics to be placed on the agenda and the priorities for action, and to identify the fresh goals and sectors of intervention. It holds responsibility for hosting and organising the preparatory meetings needed to lead up to the Summit, at which the Heads of State and Government will be meeting. The Presidency also holds responsibility for speaking on behalf of the G8 and for holding talks with other countries, international organisations and civil society.The Presidency rotates in the following order: France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada. The European Union-via the European Commission-attends the G8, but neither chair nor host the G8 Summit.
