A total of 14 developing countries have been invited to participate in the upcoming G8 summit, marking the increasing influence of developing countries on the so-called rich club, Xinhua reported.
Italy wanted to make the Group of Eight (G8) more relevant by strengthening its relations with international groups, said a senior Italian diplomat.
Italy, which currently holds the rotating G8 presidency, has invited a total of 40 nations and international organizations to the G8 summit. The United States, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Canada and Russia are also included.
The global economy, climate change, trade, African development and food safety are on top of the meeting's agenda.
For the first time, the G8 will also issue a joint statement on sustainable growth with the Group of Five (G5), which consists of China, Mexico, India, Brazil and South Africa, as well as Egypt.
According to the summit's program outline, the G8 leaders will meet with leaders of the G5 plus Egypt on Thursday. On Friday, they will also meet with leaders from eight African countries.
The summit is expected to yield some substantial results. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Tuesday that G8 leaders would approve a new initiative of 10-15 billion U.S. dollars on food safety.
Moreover, the G8 leaders are expected to issue the strongest statements ever on global warming.
Leaders of G8 and G5 will also agree to conclude the eight-year Doha round of trade talks next year.
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