RUSSIA`S PRESIDENCY IN THE G8:RUSSIA`S PRESIDENCY IN THE G8:

A SEARCH FOR COLLECTIVE RESPONSES TO A SEARCH FOR COLLECTIVE RESPONSES TO

CHALLENGES OF ECONOMIC,CHALLENGES OF ECONOMIC,

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL GLOBALISATIONSOCIAL AND CULTURAL GLOBALISATION

Unique features of G8Unique features of G8

Unparalleled concentration of power and influence: Unparalleled concentration of power and influence:

4 nuclear powers and4 nuclear powers and

4 UNSC permanent members 4 UNSC permanent members

49,8% of the world GDP49,8% of the world GDP

49% of the world trade 49% of the world trade

49,6% of the IMF quota49,6% of the IMF quota

G7 and G8: stages of evolutionG7 and G8: stages of evolution

1975 1975 –– 1979: from the 1979: from the RambouilletRambouillet summit summit

to the second energy crisisto the second energy crisis

Core agenda of G7 is defined: international trade, Core agenda of G7 is defined: international trade,

economic growth, development assistance, economic growth, development assistance,

energy security of the Western worldenergy security of the Western world

Comprehensive strategy is agreed (1978 Bonn Comprehensive strategy is agreed (1978 Bonn

summit)summit)

1979 oil crisis explodes the Bonn strategy.1979 oil crisis explodes the Bonn strategy.

1980 1980 –– 1990: from the energy crisis 1990: from the energy crisis

to "velvet revolutions" in Eastern to "velvet revolutions" in Eastern

EuropeEurope

Venice declaration (1980): fighting inflation and resolving eneVenice declaration (1980): fighting inflation and resolving energy crisis. First rgy crisis. First

working body of the G7 is established (in 1980; Highworking body of the G7 is established (in 1980; High--level Group on G7 level Group on G7

energy strategy)energy strategy)

Financial coordination strengthened (1985 Plaza Accord and 1987 Financial coordination strengthened (1985 Plaza Accord and 1987 LouvreLouvre

Accord)Accord)

G7 is turning to its domestic problems (structural change in ecoG7 is turning to its domestic problems (structural change in economy and labor nomy and labor

force discussed at 1988 Toronto summit)force discussed at 1988 Toronto summit)

Third world debt reduction process begins: "Toronto conditionsThird world debt reduction process begins: "Toronto conditions““

G7 strategies towards "velvet revolutions" and Soviet perestroikG7 strategies towards "velvet revolutions" and Soviet perestroika are defined a are defined

(1989(1989--1990)1990)

19911991 –– 1997: from collapse of the Soviet Union 1997: from collapse of the Soviet Union to the emergence of G8to the emergence of G8

Evolution of Russia's position visEvolution of Russia's position vis--àà--vis G7: from guest status to the "Political G8" vis G7: from guest status to the "Political G8"

and G8 membership (except some financial issues)and G8 membership (except some financial issues)

G7/G8 agenda is becoming more political, social and environmentaG7/G8 agenda is becoming more political, social and environmentall

Reform of the G7/G8 begins (UK Prime Minister John Major's letteReform of the G7/G8 begins (UK Prime Minister John Major's letter of August r of August

1992)1992)

G7 reacts to the 1995 Mexican financial crisis. Reform of IMF, WG7 reacts to the 1995 Mexican financial crisis. Reform of IMF, WB and UN B and UN

socioeconomic institutionssocioeconomic institutions

1996 Moscow summit on nuclear security: a break1996 Moscow summit on nuclear security: a break--through in the evolutionthrough in the evolution

from G7 to G8from G7 to G8

CounterCounter--terrorism becomes a major issue (1995 terrorism becomes a major issue (1995 –– G8 Expert group on terrorism G8 Expert group on terrorism

is established; ministerial conference on counter terrorism is his established; ministerial conference on counter terrorism is held)eld)

GlobalisationGlobalisation becomes a permanent issue of the G7/G8 agenda ("Making a becomes a permanent issue of the G7/G8 agenda ("Making a

success of success of globalisationglobalisation for the benefit of all" for the benefit of all" -- 1996 Lyon summit)1996 Lyon summit)

1998 1998 –– 2001: from the Asian financial crisis 2001: from the Asian financial crisis to 9/11/2001to 9/11/2001

1997 Denver summit: G8 is formed (except some financial issues)1997 Denver summit: G8 is formed (except some financial issues)

Africa becomes permanent item of G7/G8 agenda (since 1997 Africa becomes permanent item of G7/G8 agenda (since 1997

summit)summit)

G8 assists in resolving Kosovo crisis (1999)G8 assists in resolving Kosovo crisis (1999)

HIPC initiative is launched (1999 Cologne summit)HIPC initiative is launched (1999 Cologne summit)

Conflict prevention and resolution is discussed (in the aftermatConflict prevention and resolution is discussed (in the aftermath of h of

the Kosovo crisis)the Kosovo crisis)

From 2001 to the presentFrom 2001 to the present

Key context factorsKey context factors::

-- globalization becoming the major trend of world development;globalization becoming the major trend of world development;

-- importance of socioimportance of socio--political issues in the G8 agenda is growing political issues in the G8 agenda is growing

(employment, poverty, healthcare, life(employment, poverty, healthcare, life--long education);long education);

-- global and transnational problems are exacerbated: ecology, criglobal and transnational problems are exacerbated: ecology, crime me

and international terrorism;and international terrorism;

-- general financial and economic situation of G8 members is general financial and economic situation of G8 members is

differentiated;differentiated;

-- new global economic players come to the scene: China and India;new global economic players come to the scene: China and India;

-- risk of financial crises in some Third world regions persists;risk of financial crises in some Third world regions persists;

-- Republican administration is elected in the US;Republican administration is elected in the US;

-- President Vladimir President Vladimir V.PutinV.Putin is elected in Russiais elected in Russia

Principal spheres of G8 actionPrincipal spheres of G8 action

Contributing to UN Millennium summit goals (fighting poverty in Contributing to UN Millennium summit goals (fighting poverty in the Third world the Third world

through debt reduction; facilitating access to G8 markets; increthrough debt reduction; facilitating access to G8 markets; increasing volume asing volume

and efficiency of ODA; Global Fund; assisting implementation ofand efficiency of ODA; Global Fund; assisting implementation of the Education the Education

For All Program; helping to overcome "digital divide")For All Program; helping to overcome "digital divide")

Fighting international terrorism: preventing terrorists' access Fighting international terrorism: preventing terrorists' access to WMD; to WMD;

enhancing transportation security; cutting terrorists' financialenhancing transportation security; cutting terrorists' financial flowsflows

Decision to include Russia in the G8 rotating presidency cycle (Decision to include Russia in the G8 rotating presidency cycle (2002 summit)2002 summit)

Outreach becomes permanent (2002 summit Outreach becomes permanent (2002 summit –– NEPAD leaders; 2003 summit NEPAD leaders; 2003 summit ––

13 leaders of Asian, African and Latin13 leaders of Asian, African and Latin--American countries; 2004 summit American countries; 2004 summit ––

Greater Middle East leaders; 2005 summit Greater Middle East leaders; 2005 summit –– leaders of key emerging leaders of key emerging

economies)economies)

Nuclear nonNuclear non--proliferation becomes an urgent issue (Iran, DPRK)proliferation becomes an urgent issue (Iran, DPRK)

G8 functions in the international G8 functions in the international

systemsystem

G8 as a modern "Concert of nations"?G8 as a modern "Concert of nations"?

G8 as a conspiracy of the rich?G8 as a conspiracy of the rich?

G8 as an international interest group at the global level?G8 as an international interest group at the global level?

Central functionCentral function: regulating a (limited) number of financial, : regulating a (limited) number of financial, economic, political and social processes in the international economic, political and social processes in the international system; stimulating evolution of the systemsystem; stimulating evolution of the system

Supporting functionsSupporting functions: :

Building confidence among G8 leaders through regular personal Building confidence among G8 leaders through regular personal contactscontacts

Facilitating identification of common interests on specific probFacilitating identification of common interests on specific problems lems and harmonizing approaches to them (Mediumand harmonizing approaches to them (Medium--term economic term economic policy in early 1990's; HIPC)policy in early 1990's; HIPC)

Elaborating framework rules of behavior for G8 members and Elaborating framework rules of behavior for G8 members and initiating elaboration of universal rules (MTCR, initiating elaboration of universal rules (MTCR, WassenarWassenar regime, regime, conventions on fighting international terrorism)conventions on fighting international terrorism)

Preventing/resolving crises (energy crisis of 1979; Mexican and Preventing/resolving crises (energy crisis of 1979; Mexican and Asian Asian financial crises; Kosovo crisis).financial crises; Kosovo crisis).

G8 levels of interactionG8 levels of interaction

G8 summitG8 summit

Ministerial meetingsMinisterial meetings::

-- Foreign affairsForeign affairs

-- FinanceFinance

-- Justice and InteriorJustice and Interior

-- EnvironmentEnvironment

-- Science and technology ("Carnegie group")Science and technology ("Carnegie group")

-- International development assistanceInternational development assistance

SherpaSherpa meetingsmeetings

Foreign affairs Foreign affairs soussous--sherpasherpa meetingsmeetings

Finance Finance soussous--sherpasherpa meetingsmeetings

G7 deputy ministers of finance meetingG7 deputy ministers of finance meeting

Political directors meetingPolitical directors meeting

Senior official and experts meetingSenior official and experts meeting::

High level group on nonHigh level group on non--proliferation. proliferation.

Supervises the following groups:Supervises the following groups:

-- experts group on nonexperts group on non--proliferationproliferation

-- working group on Global Partnershipworking group on Global Partnership

-- nuclear safety groupnuclear safety group

Counterterrorist action groupCounterterrorist action group

Experts group on terrorism (Rome group)Experts group on terrorism (Rome group)

Senior experts group on organized crime Senior experts group on organized crime

(Lyon group)(Lyon group)

Working group on biometrics in IDWorking group on biometrics in ID

Personal representatives group for Personal representatives group for

contacts with Africacontacts with Africa

Group of representatives of National Group of representatives of National

agencies for development assistanceagencies for development assistance

Senior officials group on labor and social Senior officials group on labor and social

issuesissues

Experts group on AfghanistanExperts group on Afghanistan

Experts group on Experts group on SALWSALW control in Africacontrol in Africa

Experts group on peacekeeping capacity Experts group on peacekeeping capacity

building in Africabuilding in Africa

Russian presidency in G8

5050--60 events as a run60 events as a run--up to up to the St.the St.--Petersburg summit (July Petersburg summit (July 1515--17, 2006)17, 2006)

1010--11 February 11 February –– ministers of finance meeting (world ministers of finance meeting (world economy, oil markets, WTO round, financing fight against economy, oil markets, WTO round, financing fight against dangerous diseases, development assistance, dangerous diseases, development assistance, restructuring third world debt)restructuring third world debt)

1515--16 March 16 March –– energy ministers meeting: energy security energy ministers meeting: energy security problems to be discussedproblems to be discussed

2424--25 April 25 April –– health ministers meetinghealth ministers meeting

11--2 June 2 June –– education ministers meetingeducation ministers meeting

33--4 June 4 June –– science and technology ministers meetingscience and technology ministers meeting

1515--16 June 16 June –– interior and justice ministers meetingsinterior and justice ministers meetings

29 June 29 June –– foreign ministers meetingforeign ministers meeting

Russian presidency outreachRussian presidency outreach

1717--18 June 18 June –– G8 Youth meetingG8 Youth meeting

1313--1414 June June –– G8 Civil society meetingG8 Civil society meeting

PostPost--summit eventssummit events

September 2006 September 2006 –– G8 parliamentary G8 parliamentary conferenceconference

October October –– labor ministers meetinglabor ministers meeting

2727--29 November 29 November –– International forum on International forum on business community contribution to the business community contribution to the fight against terrorismfight against terrorism

Key initiatives of the Russian G8 Key initiatives of the Russian G8

presidencypresidency

Enhancing energy securityEnhancing energy security

Fighting dangerous infectionsFighting dangerous infections

Promoting professional trainingPromoting professional training

Energy security initiativeEnergy security initiative

Strategic goalStrategic goal: ensuring secure supply of : ensuring secure supply of

world economy and population with all world economy and population with all

kinds of energy at acceptable prices kinds of energy at acceptable prices

with minimum damage to the with minimum damage to the

environment and based on the balance environment and based on the balance

of interests of producers and of interests of producers and

consumers of energy resources. consumers of energy resources.

Spheres of actionSpheres of action::

-- strengthening stability and predictability of strengthening stability and predictability of

international energy markets;international energy markets;

-- increasing investments in the world energy sector;increasing investments in the world energy sector;

-- promoting energy saving and energy efficiency;promoting energy saving and energy efficiency;

-- developing alternative energy sources;developing alternative energy sources;

-- enhancing safety and reliability of world energy enhancing safety and reliability of world energy

supply;supply;

-- reducing "energy poverty" of the Third worldreducing "energy poverty" of the Third world

Initiative on fighting dangerous Initiative on fighting dangerous

infectionsinfections

Strategic goalStrategic goal: strengthening WHO : strengthening WHO

global network for information and global network for information and

analysis of infectious diseases.analysis of infectious diseases.

G8 Action plan on bird flu and its G8 Action plan on bird flu and its

pandemics among humanspandemics among humans

Measures to prevent epidemics related to Measures to prevent epidemics related to

natural disastersnatural disasters

Initiative on educationInitiative on education

Strategic goalStrategic goal: improving quality of university : improving quality of university

education in G8 countries and in the Third education in G8 countries and in the Third

world.world.

Spheres of practical cooperationSpheres of practical cooperation::

-- modernizing certification mechanisms for the modernizing certification mechanisms for the

"new economy" and global labor markets"new economy" and global labor markets

-- adaptation, professional, linguistic and adaptation, professional, linguistic and

cultural integration of migrantscultural integration of migrants

Other 2006 summit issuesOther 2006 summit issues

Regional conflicts: Middle East, Iraq, AfghanistanRegional conflicts: Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan

State of world economy and financial systemState of world economy and financial system

Finalizing Doha round of WTO negotiations; Russia's accession Finalizing Doha round of WTO negotiations; Russia's accession to WTOto WTO

Fighting Fighting narcotrafficnarcotraffic and international terrorism: problem of and international terrorism: problem of Afghan drugs and of diffusion of extremist/terrorist ideologiesAfghan drugs and of diffusion of extremist/terrorist ideologiesthrough massthrough mass--mediamedia

NonNon--proliferation: strengthening international guaranties of proliferation: strengthening international guaranties of access of nonaccess of non--nuclear states to peaceful nuclear energynuclear states to peaceful nuclear energy

PeacePeace--keeping in Africakeeping in Africa

Development assistance.Development assistance.