Chair/'s Summary
Chair's Summary
L’Aquila, 10 July 2009
The G8 Summit was held in the city of L’Aquila from 8 to 10 July 2009 to
show solidarity with the population of the Region, severely hit by an
earthquake on 6 April, and with all those around the world who have been
touched by natural disasters.
G8 Leaders discussed the interlinked challenges of the economic crisis,
poverty, climate change and international political issues. They shared a
vision of a world economy that is open, innovative, sustainable and fair.
The following documents have been adopted:
G8 Declaration "Responsible leadership for a sustainable future";
G8 L’Aquila Statement on Non Proliferation;
G8 Declaration on Counter Terrorism;
Joint Declaration "Promoting the global agenda";
Declaration of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate;
Joint G8-Africa Statement ("A stronger G8-Africa Partnership on
Water and Sanitation");
Joint Statement on Global Food Security - "L’Aquila Food Security
Initiative" (AFSI).
Leaders acknowledged that their action is strengthened by engaging
with the major emerging economies. In 2007 the G8 initiated a Dialogue
with Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa, to build a common
understanding on key issues on the global agenda. In L’Aquila, Leaders
decided to move forward together in the framework of a stable and
structured partnership.
With this spirit, the Summit opened in the G8 format, to later expand,
starting from the second day, into progressively enlarged meetings.
On 8 July G8 Leaders met to discuss the world economy, development,
climate change and international political issues. From July 9th they were
joined by Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa, establishing a
structured and continued dialogue on a broad range of global issues. Egypt
was also invited to participate in the meeting. Discussions progressed with
the participation of Heads of International Organizations; all other
members of the Major Economies Forum joined them to address trade and
climate change. African Leaders and G8 partners discussed the
implications of the crisis for Africa. Finally, in a broader format, Leaders
tackled the issue of food security.
Heiligendamm – L’Aquila Process (HAP)
G8 partners and Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa
reaffirmed their determination to work together to advance the global
agenda and identify effective solutions to major challenges. This requires
shared responsibility and collaborative efforts among the leading world
economies to make progress collectively. To this end, Leaders launched an
enhanced, stable and structured cooperation on equal footing among them:
the Heiligendamm-L’Aquila Process (HAP). Countries adhering to this
Process are committed to strengthening their mutual understanding and
translating this common ground into tangible results, thereby contributing
to enhance global governance and jointly shaping the future.
Leaders, together with Egypt, discussed a global recovery agenda,
future sources of growth and responsible development policies. They will
work together to foster a balanced recovery taking into account
appropriate adjustments in savings. Policies to improve social safety nets,
including healthcare and education, as well as investments in
infrastructure and innovation will contribute to a more balanced and
sustainable growth model.
Trade
A concrete result of this partnership is significant progress on trade.
Leaders stressed that open markets are key to economic growth and
development – the more so in a period of crisis. Therefore, they reaffirmed
their determination to resist protectionism and confirmed the standstill
commitment adopted in Washington and London. Moreover, they agreed
that a successful conclusion of the Doha Development Round will provide
a major boost to restore confidence, support recovery and promote
development. The time is ripe to unblock negotiations in order to reach an
ambitious and balanced conclusion in 2010 on the basis of the progress
already made, including with regard to modalities. To this end Leaders
mandated their Ministers in charge of trade to engage immediately to
clarify and understand the negotiation to date and to meet before the
Pittsburgh Summit, where they will report on progress achieved. Australia,
Indonesia and the Republic of Korea also decided to join this effort.
World Economy
G8 Leaders discussed the state of the world economy and the
extraordinary measures taken. While noting signs of stabilisation and
improved confidence, they reaffirmed their commitment to implementing
the decisions made at the Washington and London Summits. Policy action
to support the world economy and repair the financial system will continue
as long as needed to ensure sustainable and long-lasting growth. Reforms
of financial regulations will be implemented swiftly, ensuring a level
playing field. Leaders also committed to tackle the social dimension of the
crisis, putting people’s concerns first and promoting global action for
employment and social protection.
The crisis has revealed the importance of propriety, integrity and
transparency regarding the conduct of international business and finance,
so as to strengthen business ethics. To this end, Leaders have agreed on the
need to developing common principles and standards, the "Lecce
Framework", which builds on existing initiatives of the OECD and other
relevant international organizations and which will be brought to the next
G20 Summit in Pittsburgh.
International cooperation will be reinforced to fight corruption, tax
evasion, money laundering and terrorism financing, through strengthening
the implementation of international standards, an expansion of the OECD
Global Forum, a peer review process and the development of
countermeasures to consider to use against non-cooperative jurisdictions
not meeting these standards.
Looking beyond the crisis, Leaders vowed to secure medium-term
fiscal sustainability through preparing appropriate exit strategies. They are
determined to set economic growth on a more solid, innovative, greener
and sustainable path. Leaders also agreed on the need to address excessive
price volatility in energy and agricultural products and to improve the
functioning of global commodity markets, including through effective
regulation and supervision of derivative markets, so as to enhance
transparency and combat damaging speculation.
They stressed the importance of fostering an open, receptive climate for
foreign investment and promoting innovation, while effectively tackling
counterfeiting and piracy.
Climate Change
Leaders agreed that effectively addressing climate change is urgent and
sent a strong political message in view of the UNFCC Conference in
Copenhagen in December.
Climate change was discussed both in the G8 and in the MEF format.
In the G8 session, Leaders recognised the scientific view on the need to
keep global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius above pre-
industrial levels, and agreed on a global long-term goal of reducing global
emissions by at least 50% by 2050 and, as part of this, on an 80% or more
reduction goal for developed countries by 2050. They also agreed on the
need for significant mid-term targets consistent with the long term goals
and for global emissions to reach their peak as soon as possible. The active
engagement of all major emitting countries through quantifiable mitigation
actions was highlighted, as an indispensable condition to successfully
tackle climate change.
Leaders discussed the role of innovative technologies and climate
financing, with a view to sustain mitigation efforts also in developing
countries. They highlighted adaptation needs of developing countries in
terms of resources, capacity building and policy support, particularly for
the poor and most vulnerable.
The G8 adopted a comprehensive declaration, which set the
groundwork for a constructive discussion with the emerging economies the
following day.
In the broader session, the 16 Leaders of the Major Economies Forum on
Energy and Climate, the European Commission, Sweden, Denmark and the
UN Secretary General, found an agreement on key pillars of the
Copenhagen climate deal.
Leaders of all major emitting countries reiterated the importance of
keeping the increase in average global temperature below 2 degrees Celsius,
as recognised by the G8, and decided to work together between now and
Copenhagen to identify a long-term global goal for substantially reducing
global emissions by 2050. Leaders agreed on the need for nationally
appropriate mitigation actions by all countries: developed countries will
promptly undertake robust mid-term emissions reductions, while
developing countries will undertake actions to ensure meaningful
deviation of emission levels from business as usual.
The key role of major economies in driving innovation was stressed and
Leaders launched a Global Partnership to further such efforts. There was
agreement on substantially increasing public investments in R&D, with a
view to doubling them by 2015. Underlining the role of the private sector
and of international cooperation, Leaders committed to remove barriers
and create incentives to accelerate deployment, diffusion and transfer of
low-carbon technologies.
There was broad agreement on the need to scale-up climate financing,
from public and private sources, including through carbon markets.
Leaders discussed international funding arrangements, with particular
attention to the proposal by Mexico for a Green Fund.
Participants adopted the Major Economies Forum on Energy and
Climate Declaration, paving the way for a comprehensive global agreement
in Copenhagen and agreed to continue to work together in the coming
months.
Development and Africa
Leaders focussed their discussion on the effects of the crisis on the most
vulnerable. They decided to act resolutely to implement decisions to
eradicate poverty and hunger. Acknowledging that the crisis is
jeopardising progress towards the MDGs, they asked for an international
assessment in 2010 on what is needed to achieve these Goals. They
reiterated their commitment to promote global health and expressed their
solidarity for all vulnerable people and countries in the face of the global
H1N1 threat and the importance of supporting developing countries with
respect to anti-viral medicines, vaccines, and other preventive measures.
They decided to implement a set of measures to help the most
vulnerable to withstand the crisis: fulfil their ODA commitments, including
on aid for trade; keep markets open to re-launch economic growth to the
benefit of the poor; enhance transparency and competition among
intermediaries to halve transaction cost of migrants’ remittances;
strengthen partnership with Africa to improve access to water and
sanitation; support innovative financing instruments for health; put
agriculture and food security at the top of the agenda, by increasing
multilateral financing to support comprehensive country strategies and
improving coordination of existing mechanisms.
Leaders recognized that increasing aid without ensuring its quality will
not have a real impact on development in the long run. They reaffirmed
their determination to implement the Accra Agenda for Action. Moreover,
building on the Monterrey Consensus, they agreed to promote a
comprehensive, "whole of country" approach, to ensure stronger policy
coherence, and the mobilization of all actors, policies and financial
resources.
In reaffirming their development commitments, they published a
preliminary accountability report and decided to develop a fully-fledged
accountability mechanism to monitor progress and strengthen the
effectiveness of their actions. A first accountability Report will be
submitted at the Muskoka G8 Summit (Canada 2010).
G8 and Africa
On 10 July, the G8 met with Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya,
Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, the African Union Commission and
relevant International Organisations. Leaders resolved to act swiftly to
limit the impact of the crisis on the achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals in Africa. They confirmed respective commitments for
sustainable development, including with respect to ODA, climate change
and peace and security. For the first time, Leaders issued a joint G8-Africa
statement, expressing their determination to build a stronger partnership to
increase access to water and sanitation.
Food Security
Concerned by the increasing number of undernourished people and
inadequate levels of investments in agriculture, on the same day Leaders of
40 States and Heads of International Organisations convened to unite
efforts for hunger eradication. A Joint Statement outlined their common
vision and approach to global food security. They committed to mobilize
US$ 20 billions over three years through the L’Aquila Food Security
Initiative in support of rural development in poor countries. Leaders
further promoted the advancement of the Global Partnership on
Agriculture and Food Security, to keep agriculture at the core of the
international agenda, re-launch investments and boost aid efficiency and
in-country coordination, with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.
International Political issues
The G8 Leaders expressed serious concern about recent developments
in Iran. They deplored post-electoral violence in the country, interference
with media, unjustified detentions of journalists and arrests of foreign
nationals. They warned that Embassies in Iran must be permitted to
exercise their functions effectively, and stressed their commitment to find a
diplomatic solution to Iran’s continued failure to meet its international
obligations with regard to its nuclear program. They condemned the
declarations of President Ahmadinejad denying the Holocaust.
Building on the recent developments in US-Russia relations on
disarmament, Leaders underscored the central importance of the regime
established by the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the commitment to
creating the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons. The United
States will convene a Conference in spring 2010 aiming to secure all
vulnerable nuclear material around the world, and leading to the revision
of the NPT.
Looking forward to a comprehensive peace between Israel and all its
neighbours, the Leaders reiterated their full support to the two-state
solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and urged the parties to rapidly
resume direct negotiations. They also called on them to fulfil their
obligations under the Roadmap. G8 Leaders remained engaged to fully
support the Palestinian Authority including, once a peace agreement
reached, through the launching of an ambitious and comprehensive plan
that would develop infrastructure and foster economic activities in the
future Palestinian State.
Leaders condemned in the strongest terms the recent nuclear test and
ballistic launches by the DPRK and urged DPRK to refrain from further
provocations and to engage for the early resumption of the Six Party talks.
Leaders confirmed their willingness to assist the Afghan and the
Pakistani Governments in meeting their respective challenges with regard
to economic and social development, good governance, combating
corruption, terrorism and illicit trafficking. The importance of closer
regional cooperation in the area was also stressed.
They also discussed piracy and the need to build capacity in the Horn
of Africa to better control coasts and territorial waters. They discussed
transnational organized crime as well as the fight against terrorism,
stressing the challenges of countering radicalization, recruitment and
terrorism financing. G8 commitment to build peacekeeping/peacebuilding
capacity globally was renewed, particularly with a focus on developing
African-led peace support operations.
The Government of Myanmar was also called to release all political
prisoners in order to prevent undermining the credibility of the elections
planned in 2010.
Leaders welcomed the offer of Canada to host the next Summit at
Muskoka in Canada in 2010.
