.

The G7 was conceived as a gathering of leaders of the most advanced economies to discuss informally matters of shared interest. The world has dramatically changed since the initial meeting. Russia joined the group to form the G8, and a handful of developing countries emerged as full players on the global economic scene. Logically, the September 2009 Pittsburgh Summit marked a milestone in the reform of global governance by making the G20 “the premier forum for international economic cooperation” to reflect these new global balances and the growing role of the emerging countries. Direct, informal and results oriented, this is how we envision the “new G8”.

As the group’s chair for 2011, France will organize a “back to basics” summit on May 26-27 in Deauville, Normandy, focusing on issues where G8 members can have a genuine impact, but carefully avoiding the duplication of the G20 agenda. We expect this summit to enable the Heads of State and Government of the most advanced economies to conduct direct and informal talks. After consulting all the members, President Sarkozy identified three priorities on issues of common interest for G8 countries.

First focus: The discussion on peace and security issues will be driven by the sweeping changes currently taking place in the Middle East and North Africa region. We all support, collectively and individually, the democratic transition in Egypt, Tunisia and beyond. But there is a clear sense among advanced countries that their success in the long term will also depend on our capacity to respond and to foster economic growth and opportunities in the region. Debating possible options on the table is precisely the kind of discussions that we need to have at a political level between G8 leaders. This is really G8 at its best. In addition, hot political issues such as Iran and non-proliferation, the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, new drug trafficking routes connecting Latin America, West Africa and Europe, as well as the fight against terrorism will be on the menu of the leaders.

Second focus: New common challenges such as the Internet and green growth. For the first time, at the Deauville summit a set of Internet-related issues will be addressed by the Heads of State and Government. The discussion will focus on a number of challenges such as Internet access, cyber security and Internet governance. With regard to innovation and green growth, the aim is to come up with concrete measures to develop these essential new growth and job drivers for our advanced economies.

Third focus: The partnership with Africa. The G8 plays a major role in rallying support for development, especially in Africa. It is also an issue of credibility for the G8: we must continue to deliver on our previous commitments to this continent. A broader G8 meeting including African leaders and representatives of international organizations will be organized. Discussion will be held on the major political and development challenges. We will take forward the exercise launched by the Canadian presidency on monitoring the G8 countries' commitments, especially in the areas of health and food security, in a spirit of mutual accountability with African countries.

There is much to do in all three areas under consideration, and one meeting will not be enough, but we feel ready to face up to the challenge.

Ambassador_Franois_Delattre

 

 

François Delattreis Ambassador of France to the United States

The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.

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G8 Deauville: New World, New Ideas

|
May 26, 2011

The G7 was conceived as a gathering of leaders of the most advanced economies to discuss informally matters of shared interest. The world has dramatically changed since the initial meeting. Russia joined the group to form the G8, and a handful of developing countries emerged as full players on the global economic scene. Logically, the September 2009 Pittsburgh Summit marked a milestone in the reform of global governance by making the G20 “the premier forum for international economic cooperation” to reflect these new global balances and the growing role of the emerging countries. Direct, informal and results oriented, this is how we envision the “new G8”.

As the group’s chair for 2011, France will organize a “back to basics” summit on May 26-27 in Deauville, Normandy, focusing on issues where G8 members can have a genuine impact, but carefully avoiding the duplication of the G20 agenda. We expect this summit to enable the Heads of State and Government of the most advanced economies to conduct direct and informal talks. After consulting all the members, President Sarkozy identified three priorities on issues of common interest for G8 countries.

First focus: The discussion on peace and security issues will be driven by the sweeping changes currently taking place in the Middle East and North Africa region. We all support, collectively and individually, the democratic transition in Egypt, Tunisia and beyond. But there is a clear sense among advanced countries that their success in the long term will also depend on our capacity to respond and to foster economic growth and opportunities in the region. Debating possible options on the table is precisely the kind of discussions that we need to have at a political level between G8 leaders. This is really G8 at its best. In addition, hot political issues such as Iran and non-proliferation, the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, new drug trafficking routes connecting Latin America, West Africa and Europe, as well as the fight against terrorism will be on the menu of the leaders.

Second focus: New common challenges such as the Internet and green growth. For the first time, at the Deauville summit a set of Internet-related issues will be addressed by the Heads of State and Government. The discussion will focus on a number of challenges such as Internet access, cyber security and Internet governance. With regard to innovation and green growth, the aim is to come up with concrete measures to develop these essential new growth and job drivers for our advanced economies.

Third focus: The partnership with Africa. The G8 plays a major role in rallying support for development, especially in Africa. It is also an issue of credibility for the G8: we must continue to deliver on our previous commitments to this continent. A broader G8 meeting including African leaders and representatives of international organizations will be organized. Discussion will be held on the major political and development challenges. We will take forward the exercise launched by the Canadian presidency on monitoring the G8 countries' commitments, especially in the areas of health and food security, in a spirit of mutual accountability with African countries.

There is much to do in all three areas under consideration, and one meeting will not be enough, but we feel ready to face up to the challenge.

Ambassador_Franois_Delattre

 

 

François Delattreis Ambassador of France to the United States

The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.