G20..... :-/

It's all over the news, it's called the G20! Even I was getting a little confused and was trying to work out how or even if it linked to the G8.

The G20 is a group of finance ministers and central bank governors from 20 economies: 19 of the world's largest national economies, plus the European Union (EU). Collectively, the G-20 economies comprise 85% of global GNP, 80% of world trade and two-thirds of the world population.

The G-20 is a forum for cooperation and consultation on matters relating to the international financial system. It studies, reviews, and promotes discussion among key industrial and emerging market countries of policy issues pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability, and seeks to address issues that go beyond the responsibilities of any one organisation.

The G8 (The group of Eight - used to be G6) is a place where governments of eight nations of the northwen hemispehere: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States; in addition, the European Union is represented within the G8.

Lately, both France and the United Kingdom have expressed a desire to expand the group and include five developing countries, referred to as the Outreach Five (O5): Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa. These countries have participated as guests in previous meetings, which are sometimes called G8+5.

Japan held the G8 presidency in 2008, Italy is the 2009 president, and Canada will be president in 2010. France held the first presidency in 1975.

The G8 meetings bring together ministers responsible for various different things to discuss issues of mutual or global concern. The range of topics include health, law enforcement, labour, economic and social development, energy, environment, foreign affairs, justice and interior, terrorism and trade. There are also a separate set of meetings known as the "G8+5", created during the 2005 Gleneagles, Scotland summit, that is attended by finance and energy ministers from all eight member countries in addition to the five "Outreach Countries": Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa.

The last time we held the G8 in the UK was the 6-8th July in Scotland. On the second day of the meeting, suicide bombers killed over 50 people on the London Underground and a bus.

These events have always caused an International hype with world media focusing on extensive lobbying by advocacy groups and street demonstrations by activists.

For more information visit wikipedia! Hopefully now you know the difference... I am a lot clearer!!!!!!!

Make sure you watch the news and find out about what is happening!

Miss Udy