Sunday, July 22, 2001
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attends a press conference
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The three-day Summit Meeting held in Genoa, Italy from July 20-22, ended with the adoption of the G8 Summit Communique on the final day of July 22. Discussion at the Summit Meeting centered on the world economy, trade, development and the global environment. The Summit saw the issue of several documents, including the G7 Statement on the world economy and trade; the G8 Communique on relief to developing countries and the environment; as well as the Genoa Plan for Africa and the G8 Statement on the Middle East and the G8 Statement on Regional Issues. The G8 Communique, completed on the final day, incorporated a Strategic Approach to Poverty Reduction which comprises debt relief for developing countries and greater participation by developing countries in the global trade system, increased private investment, the establishment of a Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, the promotion of education and food security, and the importance of information technology (IT) to the growth of developing countries. In addition, as a legacy for the future, issues of the environment and food safety were incorporated. In regard to the Kyoto Protocol, there was agreement on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While there is currently disagreement on the Kyoto Protocol and its ratification, the leaders agreed on committing to work intensively together to meet a common objective. There was also agreement on employment and combating transnational organized crime and drugs to increase prosperity in a socially-inclusive society. Summing up the three-day meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi mentioned that his explanation that without reform there will be no growth, was met with strong support and encouragement from the leader of each country. In regard to the Kyoto Protocol, Prime Minister Koizumi stated his understanding of the difficulty of bringing the United States back, but that efforts were made to bridge the gap and a step was made in the right direction. |