In their first working session on Thursday the Heads of State and Government will be discussing economic growth and responsibility in the global economy. After a first family photo, the Heads of State and Government will meet young people from the J8 summit around midday. The boys and girls have spent the past few days discussing the issues on the G8 agenda at their own summit.
During a working lunch the G8 will talk about current foreign policy issues. These will include the conflict in the Middle East and nuclear non-proliferation. Problems concerning Kosovo and Sudan are also on the agenda.
The afternoon working session will be dealing with climate change and energy efficiency. A working dinner will be focussing on the G8 Africa Policy.
Friday, 8 June will begin with a working session between the G8 Heads of State and Government and the Heads of State and Government of various African countries. The focus will be on the G8 Africa Reform Partnership.
Following that, a meeting has been time-tabled with the Heads of State and Government of the so-called emerging economies, namely Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. Growth and responsibility in the global economy and climate change will be discussed.
The working lunch that rounds off the summit will be dedicated to the most important international organisations. The Secretary General of the UN and the Vice-President of the World Bank, among others, are expected to attend.
Main topics on the agenda
Early on in preparations for the G8 Summit German Chancellor Angela Merkel put the focus on Africa policy. In particular, she wants to see the promises made at the G8 Summit in 2005 kept, namely an increase in official development assistance (ODA) of $25 billion by 2010.
At the same time the German Government wants to create more incentives for private investments on Europe's neighbouring continent. The exodus of capital and Africa's brain-drain needs to be stopped. Direct financial assistance is important, but not enough. One matter of concern at the meeting in Heiligendamm is thus the proposed new political partnership, which could support good governance and the effective combating of corruption. Aid for HIV/AIDS, which is especially prevalent in Africa, is also to be increased.
Especially the meetings with the emerging economies are to be used to discuss global economic inequality, one reason why it is important to promote and protect innovation.
Special emphasis is being placed on intellectual property rights. However, the goal is not to condemn the producers of pirated products. Rather, one must tackle the problem by addressing the demanders. Jobs in, for instance, third-world countries must not be put at risk.
At the same time commodity trade routes are to be made transparent. The aim is thereby to stem the tide of corruption and to promote good governance.
