The European Union holds an observer status at G-8. José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair will represent the EU."; G8_fact_file[i++] = new Array("","Issues","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); G8_fact_file[i-1].body = "Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in the world that has gotten poorer in the last generation. Africa makes up 13 percent of the world’s population but 28 percent of world poverty. Also, AIDS is a growing scourge in the region with 26 million people currently affected. The G-8 leaders are under pressure to increase funding to African nations as well as to cancel or ease their international debt.
Climate change: In the past century, average global temperatures rose by 0.6 degrees Celsius. The warmest 10 years on record have all been since 1990. Scientific consensus indicates that the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has prompted the warming. Global temperatures are expected to continually rise over the next century by as much as 5.8 degrees Celsius. The recent climate changes such as the Indian Ocean tsunami have shown how vulnerable the world is to extreme weather conditions and the effects they have on economics and society. G-8 leaders discuss further action on the controlling of emissions and how to deal with the changing climate.
Countering terrorism: After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the G-8 emphasized the need to combat all forms of terrorism and strengthen international cooperation.
Non-proliferation: The G-8 continues its efforts to counter proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In 2002, the G-8 announced the Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, establishing core principles against the spread of the weapons. To date, more than $17 billion has been raised toward the partnership and its work.
Supporting reform in the broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA): The promotion of long-term stability and prosperity in the BMENA region continues to be a priority for the G-8 leaders. Renewed efforts hope to further political, social and economic reform. Last year, a Plan of Support for Reform was introduced to include democratic strengthening, economic development and educational improvements. The plan’s implementation will continue this year and discussions are to take place about its progress as well as more efforts for improvements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and developments in Iraq and Afghanistan.";
G8_fact_file[i++] = new Array("","Location","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
G8_fact_file[i-1].body = "Gleneagles hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, hosts the G-8 Summit. Perthshire, one of Scotland’s major tourist destinations, is located an hour’s drive north from Edinburgh or Glasgow. It's also one of the main centers of the Scotch whisky industry, golf and salmon fishing. Perthshire also has some of the finest produce in Britain, which has resulted in some of the best restaurants in the country there. ";
G8_fact_file[i++] = new Array("","Security","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
G8_fact_file[i-1].body = "Tight security will surround the G-8 Summit site and nearby areas. All people and vehicles around the immediate area will go through security checks. Local residents are to carry identification for easier access through checks. Police are to be the main security force at the summit. ";
G8_fact_file[i++] = new Array("","Other resources","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
G8_fact_file[i-1].body = "Official Web site: www.g8.gov.uk
Protesters: www.dissent.org.uk";
// END editorial data