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 Unparalleled concentration of power and

influence: 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 – 1979: from the Rambouillet summit 1975 – 1979: from the Rambouillet summit to the second energy crisisto the second energy crisis

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

trade, economic growth, development trade, economic growth, development

assistance, energy security of the Western assistance, energy security of the Western

worldworld

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

Bonn summit)Bonn summit)

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

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

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

Venice declaration (1980): fighting inflation and resolving energy Venice declaration (1980): fighting inflation and resolving energy crisis. First working body of the G7 is established (in 1980; High-crisis. First working body of the G7 is established (in 1980; High-level Group on G7 energy strategy)level Group on G7 energy strategy)

Financial coordination strengthened (1985 Plaza Accord and 1987 Financial coordination strengthened (1985 Plaza Accord and 1987 Louvre Accord)Louvre Accord)

G7 is turning to its domestic problems (structural change in economy G7 is turning to its domestic problems (structural change in economy and labor force discussed at 1988 Toronto summit)and labor force discussed at 1988 Toronto summit)

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

G7 strategies towards "velvet revolutions" and Soviet perestroika are G7 strategies towards "velvet revolutions" and Soviet perestroika are defined (1989-1990)defined (1989-1990)

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 vis-à-vis G7: from guest status to the Evolution of Russia's position vis-à-vis G7: from guest status to the

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

G7/G8 agenda is becoming more political, social and environmentalG7/G8 agenda is becoming more political, social and environmental

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

August 1992)August 1992)

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

UN socioeconomic institutionsUN socioeconomic institutions

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

evolutionevolution

from G7 to G8from G7 to G8

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

terrorism is established; ministerial conference on counter terrorism is terrorism is established; ministerial conference on counter terrorism is

held)held)

Globalisation becomes a permanent issue of the G7/G8 agenda Globalisation becomes a permanent issue of the G7/G8 agenda

("Making a success of globalisation for the benefit of all" - 1996 Lyon ("Making a success of globalisation for the benefit of all" - 1996 Lyon

summit)summit)

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

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

issues)issues)

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

1997 summit)1997 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 Conflict prevention and resolution is discussed (in the

aftermath of the Kosovo crisis)aftermath of the Kosovo crisis)

From 2001 to the presentFrom 2001 to the present

Key context factorsKey context factors::

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

- importance of socio-political issues in the G8 agenda is - importance of socio-political issues in the G8 agenda is growing (employment, poverty, healthcare, life-long growing (employment, poverty, healthcare, life-long education);education);

- global and transnational problems are exacerbated: ecology, - global and transnational problems are exacerbated: ecology, crime and international terrorism;crime 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 - new global economic players come to the scene: China and India;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 V.Putin is elected in Russia- President Vladimir V.Putin is elected in Russia

Principal spheres of G8 actionPrincipal spheres of G8 action

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

Third world through debt reduction; facilitating access to G8 markets; Third world through debt reduction; facilitating access to G8 markets;

increasing volume and efficiency of ODA; Global Fund; assisting increasing volume and efficiency of ODA; Global Fund; assisting

implementation of the Education For All Program; helping to implementation of the Education For All Program; helping to

overcome "digital divide")overcome "digital divide")

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

enhancing transportation security; cutting terrorists' financial flowsenhancing transportation security; cutting terrorists' financial flows

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

summit)summit)

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

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

2004 summit – Greater Middle East leaders; 2005 summit – leaders of 2004 summit – Greater Middle East leaders; 2005 summit – leaders of

key emerging economies)key emerging economies)

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

G8 functions in the international G8 functions in the international system system

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, economic, : regulating a (limited) number of financial, economic,

political and social processes in the international system; political and social processes in the international system; stimulating evolution of the systemstimulating evolution of the system

Supporting functionsSupporting functions: : Building confidence among G8 leaders through regular personal Building confidence among G8 leaders through regular personal

contactscontactsFacilitating identification of common interests on specific problems Facilitating identification of common interests on specific problems

and harmonizing approaches to them (Medium-term economic and harmonizing approaches to them (Medium-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, Wassenar regime, initiating elaboration of universal rules (MTCR, Wassenar regime, conventions on fighting international terrorism)conventions on fighting international terrorism)

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

G8 levels of interactionG8 levels of interaction

G8 summitG8 summit

Ministerial meetingsMinisterial meetings::

- Foreign affairs- Foreign affairs

- Finance- Finance

- Justice and Interior- Justice and Interior

- Environment- Environment

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

- International development assistance- International development assistance

Sherpa meetingsSherpa meetingsForeign affairs sous-sherpa meetingsForeign affairs sous-sherpa meetings

Finance sous-sherpa meetingsFinance sous-sherpa meetings

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

Supervises the following groups:Supervises the following groups:

- experts group on non-proliferation- experts group on non-proliferation

- working group on Global Partnership- working group on Global Partnership

- nuclear safety group- nuclear 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 SALW control in AfricaExperts group on SALW control in Africa

Experts group on peacekeeping capacity Experts group on peacekeeping capacity building in Africabuilding in Africa

Russian presidency in G850-60 events as a run-up to 50-60 events as a run-up to the St.-Petersburg summit (July the St.-Petersburg summit (July

15-17, 2006)15-17, 2006)

10-11 February – ministers of finance meeting (world 10-11 February – 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)

15-16 March – energy ministers meeting: energy security 15-16 March – energy ministers meeting: energy security problems to be discussedproblems to be discussed

24-25 April – health ministers meeting24-25 April – health ministers meeting 1-2 June – education ministers meeting1-2 June – education ministers meeting

3-4 June – science and technology ministers meeting3-4 June – science and technology ministers meeting15-16 June – interior and justice ministers meetings15-16 June – interior and justice ministers meetings

29 June – foreign ministers meeting29 June – foreign ministers meeting

Russian presidency outreachRussian presidency outreach

17-18 June – G8 Youth meeting17-18 June – G8 Youth meeting13-1413-14 June – G8 Civil society meeting June – G8 Civil society meeting

Post-summit eventsPost-summit eventsSeptember 2006 – G8 parliamentary September 2006 – G8 parliamentary

conferenceconferenceOctober – labor ministers meetingOctober – labor ministers meeting27-29 November – International forum on 27-29 November – 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 world- reducing "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 narcotraffic and international terrorism: problem of Fighting narcotraffic and international terrorism: problem of Afghan drugs and of diffusion of extremist/terrorist ideologies Afghan drugs and of diffusion of extremist/terrorist ideologies through mass-mediathrough mass-media

Non-proliferation: strengthening international guaranties of Non-proliferation: strengthening international guaranties of access of non-nuclear states to peaceful nuclear energyaccess of non-nuclear states to peaceful nuclear energy

Peace-keeping in AfricaPeace-keeping in Africa

Development assistance.Development assistance.