G-8 Summit to Focus on Food and Climate

Author: Dr.Abdul Ruff Colachal The leaders from the advanced economies G8 — the USA, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia — gather at the July 7-9 summit in Hokkaido, northern Japan to debate on the concerns that a weaker dollar is a factor behind high oil prices. Bush and Japanese premier Yasuo Fukuda were expected to voice support for a goal of doubling crop production in Africa. Japan is dependent on imports for some 60 percent of its food, more than any other G8 country. A number of developing nations have restricted exports to ensure they can feed their own populations. Japan, in a summit with African leaders in May, pledged to use its expertise to help double rice production in Africa over the next 10 years to alleviate food shortages. At the outset it should be stated that with finance ministers... [read full story]