Originally published on the CGS blog on June 6, 2007.
As the 2007 G8 summit kicks off today in Germany, we’ll be providing updates, analysis – perhaps even some fun trivia – first person to accurately (or entertainingly) describe the origins of the term “Sherpa” as it relates to the G8 gets a special prize! – so stay tuned.
To start with, here are some tools to help demystify the G8:
G8 For Dummies – A guide to the G8, what it is, why we need it, and what they’ll be talking about over the next two days.
G8 Calendar of Events:
Wednesday (TODAY) June 6: Today’s events are mostly ceremonial. Attendees won’t begin diving into the meat of the G8 agenda until tomorrow.
- Bilateral talks between German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and her counterparts: President George W. Bush, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, and newly-elected French President, Nicolas Sarkozy
- 7:00PM – Welcome Dinner
Thursday, June 7:
- 9:30AM – Official Welcome Ceremony
- 10:00AM – First working session: “Growth and Responsibility in the Global Economy/ “Heiligendamm Process” Special emphasis will be placed on global economic imbalances and relations with developing economies.
- 12:00PM – “Family Photo” (pay attention to who stands where, and how close)
- 1:15PM – Working Lunch: “Current Foreign Policy Issues,” Kosovo, Middle East, Iran, North Korea, Darfur
- 2:30PM – Time for bilateral talks
- **4:00PM – Working Session: “Climate Change and Energy Efficiency”
- 7:30PM – Working Dinner: “New Impetus for the Doha Development Round”
- 9:30PM – Time for bilateral talks (President Bush is expected to meet with both Prime Minister Blair and President Putin)
Friday, June 8:
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9:00AM – Working Session (Africa Outreach): Growth and responsability for Africa:Peace and security, G8 Africa reform partnership,improvement for public health systems.
G8 heads of state and government will be joined by the heads of state and government of Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Ethiopia and Ghana as well as the Chairman of the Commission of the African Union and the Secretary General of the UN.
- 10:45AM – Working Session (Emerging Economies): Growth and responsability in the global economy / “Heiligendamm Process,” Climate Change
G8 heads of state and government joined by the heads of state and government of Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa
- 1:00PM – Working Lunch: Growth and responsability in the global economy / “Heiligendamm Process” New impetus for the Doha Development Round
G8 heads of state and government together with other heads of state and government as well as the Secretary General of the UN, the Secretary General of the OECD, the Vice President of the World Bank, the Director of the IMF, the Executiv Director of the IEA and the General Director of the WTO
- 3:00PM – Closing Press Conference
More to follow soon…



