The Group of Eight Summits: Evolution and Possible Reform

Publication Date: March 2006

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: International relations

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Abstract:

The Group of Eight (G8) summit is a forum to informally discuss and create policies on major foreign policy issues among the heads of state of the United States, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Russia. The 2006 summit will be hosted by Russia and is scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg on July 15-17, 2006. Russian participation in the G8 has prompted congressional concern particularly over the direction of its international governance. This report discusses the evolution of the G8 and possible reform as background for the meeting. This report will not be updated. For more information on Russia, see CRS Issue Brief IB92089, Russia, by Stuart D. Goldman.