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The G-8 summit ends with little delivered
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| The Editor |
Fri, Jul 11, 2008
The Nation, ANN
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>These days one might have thought that when the world's biggest economies get together at a resort out there somewhere, the world would be a safer and better place once they returned home. Well, that would be wishful thinking. Obviously, the G-8 members are too occupied with their own problems to think of the bigger international picture. That is the sad state of the G-8. Developing countries have unrealistic expectations of what these nations will do to end the food and energy crises and alleviate property. Every problem is now inter-linked in one way or another. No single country can handle it alone. The G-8 leaders somehow failed to display their true commitment for the betterment of the global environment.
To be fair there was some small measure of progress made. The G-8 leaders agreed on a shared vision on climate change that will halve gas emissions by 2050. After long and arduous negotiations, the final text on how to mitigate the challenge of climate change was agreed on. The G-8 leaders realised that deep cuts in global emissions will be necessary to achieve the goals of the UN Framework convention and that adaptation will play a correspondingly vital role. Of course, there were different views among the developed and developing worlds. Developed countries, such as the US, want developing countries to cut gas emissions based on the principle of equity. But India and China will follow the framework of sustainable development, which will observe the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and make constructive efforts to deal with climate changes. Developing countries have challenged developed countries to cut their emissions by more than 80 per cent by 2050 without setting immediate and medium-range targets. The participants also agreed to promote the Copenhagen climate change conference in 2009.
Thanks to the host, Japan, the G-8 Summit had an outreach session with leaders from China, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa discussing pressing issues like the global economy, climate change, food and energy security. Indeed, it was interesting to see how developing countries talked amongst themselves and with developed countries and what transpired as a result of those talks. Countries like China and Brazil discussed the issues concerning a sustainable world economic system and a just and reasonable international trade regime. All developing countries are interested in establishing a fair and effective global development mechanism. They want the G-8 to cut farm subsidies and trade barriers to halve soaring food prices.
For developing countries, sustained and accelerated economic growth must continue unabated and they are unlikely to consider quantitative restrictions on cutting emissions, as requested by the industrialised world. The final text reflected the concerns of developing countries, focusing on nationally appropriate mitigation actions, supported and enabled by technology, money and capacity-building, with a view to achieving a deviation from business as usual emissions.
Apart from climate change, the leaders extensively discussed other issues, such as the situation in Zimbabwe and assistance to Africa. Indeed, it was easier for G-8 leaders to agree on tougher measures against President Robert Mugabe who is responsible for the violence in Zimbabwe. Both President George Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown led the debate on the crisis and urged other leaders to look for common ways to punish the pariah regime. They ended their discussion with a statement expressing "grave concern" over the situation in the beleaguered country. They also agreed on targeted sanctions. Russia joined in the call for sanctions after initially rejecting them. It is likely that when the UN Security Council considers the sanctions, countries like China and South Africa will abstain.
They also appealed for a special UN Security Council envoy, whom they would help to appoint, to report on the situation in Zimbabwe and help resolve the current crisis. The call was a huge slap on the face for South African President Thabo Mbeki and his ongoing political stand. Throughout the crisis, he has strongly supported Mugabe and urged non-interference. The G-8's latest position showed dissatisfaction against Mbeki's handling of the political situation in Zimbabwe. As the most influential neighbour of Zimbabwe, South Africa has consistently ignored calls by UN and the international community to bring pressure to bear on Mugabe.
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