G8 Plus More

Suichi Kato, secretary-general of the parliamentarians

G8: Japan Showcases its Environmental Policy

Japan has one of the world’s most aggressive environmental policies, set both to meet 2012 emission reduction targets and to make the country - which has no natural resources of its own - less dependent on imports, according to experts meeting here. At a meeting of influential parliamentarians of GLOBE (global legislators for a balanced environment) ahead of the upcoming G8 summit in Hokkaido, Jul. 7-9, several high-profile Japanese politicians spoke of Prime Minister Fukuda’s low-carbon initiatives.

GLOBE meeting opening session. Credit: Katsuhiro Asagiri/IPS

G8: Trying to Move Beyond Debate on Emission Targets

Approximately 133 parliamentarians from 23 countries along with prominent politicians under a caucus called GLOBE (global legislators for a balanced environment) have gathered here ahead of the Jul. 7-9 G8 meetings in Hokkaido. They hope to influence the G8 - the world’s most industrialised countries - to adopt a policy for tacking climate change post-2012 when the current Kyoto Protocol ends.

OIL: Prices Won't Be Falling Anytime Soon

Although some policy-makers have blamed producing countries for steadily rising oil prices, many experts say more fundamental factors are a growing demand-supply imbalance, a weak dollar, and market speculation.

Simon Maxwell Credit:

Q&A: 'Monitor Aid Delivery Against Pledges'

The European Union commitment to stepping up development aid is expected to be put to the test at the G8 summit in Hokkaido in Japan next month.

G8: Climate Change High On Summit Agenda

The leaders of the world's most industrialised nations are now arriving in Japan for the Group of Eight (G8) Summit, Jul. 7-9. In the northern mountain resort of Lake Toyako they will confront challenges of climate change, the food shortage, and development, especially in Africa. Other agenda items are likely to include Japan’s recent bilateral summit with Hu Jinatao of China, as well as measures to control rising global fuel prices and nuclear proliferation.

FINANCE-US: More Debt Relief in Sight for Poorest Nations

Anti-debt campaigners say legislation passed by a U.S. Congressional committee this week that would expand debt cancellations to an additional 25 poor nations could prove effective in fighting poverty, stopping environmental degradation and easing the traditional strict economic conditions that accompanied loans and often led to economic chaos.

DISARMAMENT: 2020 Vision Aimed at Dismantling Nukes

Jun 26 (IPS) - When leaders of the world's eight most industrialised nations - the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia, known as the G8 - hold their annual summit meeting in Hokkaido next month, they are likely to reject a seemingly backhanded invitation: a visit to the Peace Memorial Museum in the city of Hiroshima.

JAPAN: Huge Rice Stockpiles Could Ease Food Crisis

In a policy shift, Japan has announced that it will release an emergency food aid package of about 100 million dollars in July to help ease the global food shortage. In the near future it will ship out more than 300 thousand tonnes of imported rice stored by the Japanese government.

DEVELOPMENT: Food Crisis Mortgages Children's Future

The devastating impact of rising food prices is expected to hit most of the world's 2.2 billion children the hardest - particularly in developing nations.

HEALTH: AIDS Activists Urge Major Funding Push for G8

AIDS and global health activists are calling on the U.S. Senate leadership to urgently approve a record five-year, 50-billion-dollar bill to fight AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis primarily in Africa so that President George W. Bush can take it with him when he meets with other western leaders at next month's Group of Eight (G8) summit in Japan.

FINANCE: Inflation to Overshadow Aid at G8 Talks

Inflation is to dominate two-day talks of wealthy nations' finance ministers despite warnings that millions of people face death because of a shortfall in development aid.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE: Japan Officially Recognises Ainu

In a historic breakthrough Japan's Diet has unanimously passed a resolution pressing the government to recognise the Ainu as indigenous people.

Shigeyuki Hiroki Credit:

G8 SUMMIT: Japan To Champion Africa's Cause

The state of the world economy will as usual top the agenda of the G8 summit of major western industrial nations. But Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who will chair the high-level gathering, is keen to devote equal attention to climate change and the development of Africa.

CLIMATE CHANGE: Greens, Lawmakers Assail World Bank Funds

"Climate Investment Funds" to be run by the World Bank and backed by the George W. Bush administration are drawing fire from lawmakers and environmentalists who say the initiatives will accomplish little against global warming.

DEVELOPMENT: Sweden, Ireland, Britain Lead in Aiding Africa

Sweden, Ireland and Britain top an index of 21 rich countries that ranks their commitment to help develop African nations. The United States, the world's largest economy, was a distant thirteenth, while Japan remains the least committed to the continent among rich nations.

A Bangladeshi farmer sorts potatoes for market. Credit: bengal*foam

DEVELOPMENT: If There's No Rice, Let Them Eat Potatoes

When a gaggle of unruly and starving peasants complained about a shortage of bread in 17th century France, the queen consort Marie Antoinette is said to have infamously remarked: "Let them eat cake."

Youssou N&#39Dour Credit:

Q&A: Singing to a Political Beat

If a European rock music fan has just one album by an African artist in his or her collection, there is a higher than average chance it was recorded by Youssou N'Dour. The Senegalese man's status as his continent's most lucrative cultural export was underscored in 2005, when he was the only African to appear at the main Live8 concert in London's Hyde Park, an event that attracted several billion TV viewers, according to its organisers.

DEVELOPMENT-EU: Declining Level of Aid 'Dangerous'

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has described declining levels of development assistance from rich to poor countries as "dangerous".

CLIMATE CHANGE: Brazilian Ethanol Goes It Alone

Despite the urgency to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change, Brazil has been unable to stave off the doubts that are slowing the growth of an international market for plant-based biofuels.

CLIMATE CHANGE: Lula Calls for Flexibility from Rich Countries

Industrialised nations must live up to their Kyoto Protocol commitments and be flexible in trade negotiations in order for the world to make progress towards solutions to climate change and to prevent the poor from being steeped in poverty for a long time to come, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Thursday.

ECONOMY: Bush to Sign Stimulus, G7 Declines Joint Action

President George W. Bush is to launch a giant effort to pull the United States from the jaws of recession after failing to persuade partners in Europe and Japan to follow suit.

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