Group of 8 used by leaders as flexible forum

What is the Group of Eight?

Facts about the Group of Eight, which holds its annual summit starting Wednesday in L’Aquila, Italy:

— The original G-6 met in 1975, when French President Valery Giscard d’Estaing invited the leaders of the United States, Britain, Germany, Italy and Japan to a chateau outside Paris to discuss inflation, energy and exchange rates amid a recession. Canada joined in 1976 and Russia in 1998.

— A predecessor, the so-called Library Group of finance ministers from the US, Britain, France and Germany, met quietly in the White House library in 1973. That low-key atmosphere has given way to a series of ministerial gatherings leading up to a summit held behind massive security with 3,500 journalists present.

— Five emerging economies — Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa — are particpating in a limited way but are not yet allowed in as full-fledged members. This year’s host Italy added Egypt to have a prominent Muslim nation represented.

— The Group of Eight has no headquarters or bureacracy to implement its decisions. Leaders can use it as a forum to talk about whatever they decide is important. Compliance with its decisions and promises is voluntary on the part of governments.

— Some say the Group of 20 is now the place for big questions. It includes the G-8 plus key developing economies such as China, Brazil and India as well as oil supplier Saudi Arabia.

On the Web:

G-8 Information Centre at the University of Toronto’s Munk Centre for International Studies:

www.g8.utoronto.ca

Official 2009 G-8 Summit website:

www.g8italia2009.it