Why is the G8 important?

none 23 Jan 2007 – 11:12 (modified on 26 Jan 2007 – 8:46)

by mlepeska

© © 2005 David Monniaux
Street protests in Edinburgh during G8

Within the G8, some of the world’s most critical issues are discussed. Despite often being criticised for having an overly northern focus, and not having truly ‘global’ representation, the outcomes from the G8 meetings do help to determine the world's development agenda. In the fight against AIDS, the G8 plays a particularly important role. Universal Access on AIDS first reached the international AIDS policy agenda at the G8. The G8 summit continues to attract attention from leaders and media from around the world.

The G8 is not only important to country leaders, but for non-governmental and civil society organisations also. It gives civil society an opportunity to speak up and advocate for their issues to be heard. Universal Access, for example, was put on the agenda through the actions of civil society groups in the run up to the Gleneagles Summit 2005. This G8 is an opportunity for civil society activists to hold leaders accountable to the AIDS promises they have made.

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