How did the G-8 come about?
A1: The original group began in 1975 as an informal forum for the world’s major industrialized democracies that emerged to discuss the global economic downturn (a result of the oil crisis) and international monetary system reform. French president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing invited the heads of state from Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Canada and Russia were added as members in 1976 and 1997 respectively, and although not a formal member, the European Commission has attended since 1981. G-8 summits are typically held once a year, and each member takes a turn hosting and presiding over the agenda in accordance with a preestablished rotation. This year’s host of the G-8 summit is Italy. Although earlier G-7 summits focused on economic and financial issues, since Russia’s addition, recent G-8 meetings have addressed a wide range of topics from global terrorism, energy, and climate change to global health and international development. Q2: What is the signi
