Zim Crisis On G8 Agenda In Japan Posted on July 6th
2:23pm UK, Sunday July 06, 2008
Leaders of the world’s most powerful nations are expected to stand together in condemnation of Robert Mugabe when they gather in Japan for the G8 summit.
Oxfam activists pose as the G8 leaders ahead of the summit in northern Japan
Climate change, rising food prices, African poverty and the global credit crunch will join the political crisis in Zimbabwe on the agenda for the three-day gathering.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and US President George Bush will join leaders of Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Russia in Toyako, Hokkaido.
“The participants this year will discuss global issues, including the immediate dangers posed by the soaring prices of crude oil and foodstuffs as well as climate change,” Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said in a statement.
“They will also discuss international assistance to African development and the dual threats to world peace posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism.”
With the heads of 15 other nations also invited, Japan has billed the G8 meeting as the biggest ever.
A budget of £150m was set aside to host it, part of which went towards a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly media centre.
Security is also tight across the picturesque region, with about 21,000 police deployed.
Bush arrived early for pre-summit talks
Mr Bush landed in Japan for pre-summit talks with Mr Fukuda on the next steps in the North Korean nuclear dispute.
Their meeting also touched upon climate change and aid to Africa.
Meanwhile Mr Brown has warned that rich nations must not abandon climate change and world poverty targets in the face despite tougher economic conditions.
The British PM will continue to urge major oil producers to invest in renewable energy projects in oil-dependent nations.
He will also come face-to-face for the first time with new Russian President Dmitry Medvedev - amid signs of efforts to begin to repair frosty relations between London and Moscow.