The G-8 Communique

The main points of a communique issued today at the annual summit of top industrialized nations and Russia:

WORLD ECONOMY

Called for reforms to expand investment in developing countries, ensure sustainable growth, prevent instability, strengthen competition and make labor markets more flexible.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Wealthy nations should work to expand access to information technology, to ensure that its potential for spurring economic growth is open to all countries.

DEBT FORGIVENESS

An international goal of at least $15 billion in debt relief for highly indebted countries. Indebted countries need further reforms to reduce poverty, while wealthier countries should promote lending and borrowing practices to prevent further debt crises.

HEALTH

Called for efforts to reduce HIV/AIDS infections among young people by 25%, and halve tuberculosis deaths and malaria-associated diseases by 2010.

EDUCATION

Committed to achieving universal primary education by 2015 and gender equality in schooling by 2005.

WTO

Urged the World Trade Organization to address the concerns of developing nations. Backed a new round of WTO trade negotiations this year with a “balanced and inclusive” agenda to open markets, strengthen WTO rules and support economic growth in developing nations.

ENVIRONMENT

Urged implementation of the Kyoto Protocol to reduce emissions of “greenhouse” gases blamed for global warming. Called for creating a task force to encourage use of renewable energy sources in developing countries.

NUCLEAR SAFETY

Set the goal of developing, at the next summit, an international financing plan to handle and dispose weapons-grade plutonium. Pledged to work on increasing international contributions to aid in the destruction of Russian chemical weapons.

TERRORISM

Expressed concern over the increasing number of terrorist acts, particularly the threat from the Afghan territory under control of the hard-line Taliban regime.