 |
|
 |
 |
 | |
 | |
|
2nd Day of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit
G8 Working Sessions / Commemorative Tree Planting Japan-Russia Summit Meeting / Japan-Italy Summit Meeting Other Events
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Click photographs to enlarge
|
In the morning working session, the G8 leaders mainly discussed issues on the world economy, and expressed their strong concern about elevated commodity prices, especially of oil and food, since they increase global inflationary pressure. They also agreed to continuously take appropriate actions to ensure stability and growth globally. On the supply side of oil, the leaders held that production and refining capacities should be increased in the short term and efforts are also necessary to expand upstream and downstream investment in the medium term. They expressed the recognition that it is important to make further efforts to improve energy efficiency as well as pursue energy diversification. Other topics discussed included trade and investment, raw materials, and protection of intellectual property rights (IPR). After the morning session, Prime Minister Fukuda, together with other G8 leaders, took part in the commemorative tree planting ceremony at the venue of the Summit. During the G8 working lunch, the leaders mainly discussed issues on the environment and climate change. They agreed to seek to share with all Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) the vision of, and together with them to consider and adopt, the goal of achieving at least 50% reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It was also confirmed among the leaders that they will implement ambitious economy-wide mid-term goals in order to achieve absolute emissions reductions, while acknowledging their leadership role. They also reaffirmed their intention to continue and enhance cooperation with developing countries in their efforts to adapt to climate change. After the working lunch, Prime Minister Fukuda said, "With the firm resolution that we expressed today here at Toyako, we will commence our efforts to link the results of discussions to global joint actions. This, I believe, is precisely the mission of great importance that we who shoulder the responsibility over the future of the next generations are tasked with." Discussions that focused on the issue of development and Africa took place in the afternoon working session, and the leaders agreed to renew their commitment, at the mid-point to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), to these goals by reinvigorating their efforts and encouraging the efforts of the developing countries. It was also reaffirmed that the leaders will focus their efforts on health, water, and education sectors among the MDG-related development sectors. Following the afternoon working session, Prime Minister Fukuda held talks with Mr. Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation. At the talks, Prime Minister Fukuda stated that it is important to further intensify political dialogue in order for Japan-Russia relations to continue to move forward. In response, President Medvedev said that he completely agrees with the Prime Minister on the importance of open and intensified political dialogue. The two leaders also confirmed their shared recognition that they strongly wish to resolve territorial issues as soon as possible, without postponing the discussion on them. In the evening, Prime Minister Fukuda held the G8 working dinner, continuing discussions with the G8 leaders. After the working dinner, Prime Minister Fukuda held talks with Mr. Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of the Italian Republic. At the talks, Prime Minister Fukuda expressed his gratitude for Prime Minister Berlusconi's cooperation at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit. Prime Minister Berlusconi in return said that upon the conclusion of the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit he will ensure that proposals made at this year's Summit will be carried over in a responsible manner to the G8 Summit of next year in La Maddalena in Italy.
Related link:
|