Toyako-Hokkaido Summit (7-9 July 2008)

The G8 Summit of 7-9 July 2008 in Toyako, on the island of Hokkaido, during the Japanese Presidency focused on a series of priorities that included the world economy, high oil and food prices and the resulting food crisis, climate change, development and Africa.

Given the turbulent financial markets and the serious consequences of the rise in raw material prices, the G8 Leaders decided to take – both individually and collectively – the necessary action to support stability and development. They pressed for the full implementation of the Financial Stability Forum (FSF) recommendations to strengthen the international financial system. They also expressed their commitment to resist protectionist pressures in international trade and investment, and confirmed their support for an open trade system.

Energy security. The G8 leaders reiterated the importance of lasting solutions based on efficiency and new technologies, and the aim of contributing to the dialogue between producer and consumer countries. The G8 underscored the importance of transparency in the use of raw materials and recommended that the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) be implemented in full.

Protection of intellectual property. The G8 reiterated the need to collaborate more closely to combat counterfeiting and piracy, which have now reached alarming levels. They encouraged progress in the negotiations for the adoption of a new international legal framework, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).

Food emergency. The G8 expressed its determination to tackle the food emergency and announced new funding and measures to address and act on the underlying causes of the crisis. The G8 leaders undertook to support the Food Crisis Task Force set up by the United Nations Secretary General. They confirmed their determination to complete the reform of the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to increase its efficiency in crisis management and ensure food security. They agreed to set up a Group of Experts with the task of monitoring fulfilment of the commitments undertaken in Toyako.

Climate change. On the issue of climate change, the G8 expressed its determination to reach agreement, with the contribution of all the major economies and following the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities”, on the goal of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050, under the United Nations climate negotiations. The leaders undertook to implement ambitious national programmes to develop low-carbon technologies as part of their efforts to achieve energy security and sustainable economic growth. They also acknowledged the need to set medium-term energy efficiency objectives. The G8 leaders reiterated the importance of technological innovation and the transfer of existing technologies to developing countries and the importance of sustainability in the production and use of bio-fuels. They also acknowledged the role of nuclear power in reducing CO2 emissions and responding to individual countries’ increasing energy security needs. Civil use of nuclear energy will need to be inspired by principles of nuclear non-proliferation, safety and security.

Africa. In Toyako the G8 leaders renewed their commitments undertaken at the Gleneagles Summit to increase development assistance to Africa by 25 billion dollars by 2010 with respect to the 2004 level. They paid particular attention to sectors such as health systems, water, sanitation, education, peace and security. A shorter timescale was established for implementation of the commitment undertaken at the Heiligendamm Summit in 2007 to provide 60 billion dollars to support measures to combat infectious diseases and improve healthcare.

The G8 leaders renewed their commitment to ensure universal access to AIDS prevention measures by 2010, as well as their commitment to ensure that all children have access to basic healthcare by 2015. They undertook, as part of a wide-ranging action-plan for health, to implement the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, including that of providing adequate health cover by ensuring that the goal of providing at least 2.3 health operators for every 1,000 inhabitants is achieved.

On malaria prevention, the G8 leaders agreed to provide 100 million mosquito nets by 2010, not least in light of the particularly cost-effective nature of this tool. They underscored the importance of implementing the Evian Plan for the effective and rational use of water resources.

They also undertook to support the United Nations Fast Track Initiative for universal access to primary and secondary education. Alongside the social issues, the G8 leaders called attention to the urgent need to create better conditions in Africa for both foreign and domestic investment with a view to promoting development.

Outreach. The outreach process in Toyako was divided into three sessions:
a) meeting with African countries, focusing on the gravity of the food crisis and the impact of rising oil and agricultural/food prices on the most vulnerable economies;
b) meeting with the five Heiligendamm Process countries (Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa) to discuss issues that included the food crisis, the role of bio-fuels and the adoption of suitable economic policies to ensure that the emerging economies maintain their strong growth rates;
c) Major Economies Meeting (MEM) on climate change (in addition to the G8, the five Heiligendamm Process countries plus Australia, South Korea and Indonesia also took part), with the adoption of a Declaration undertaking to combat climate change and co-operate for the success of the United Nations climate negotiations.

The G8 leaders focused in particular on the political crisis in Zimbabwe and issued a separate statement calling on the Harare government to respect the will of the people. Other issues addressed include North Korea, the crisis in Sudan, the Middle East peace process, peace and security in Afghanistan and non-proliferation. A separate statement on measures to combat and prevent terrorism was also issued