The heads of state or government of the leading industrial democracies have met annually since 1975 to address the major economic and political issues facing their nations and the international community. The annual Summit provides an important occasion for leaders to discuss major international issues, to develop and implement strategies for reforms and to respond collectively to threats -- economic and political -- to the international system. The leaders, by setting priorities, forging common policies and establishing patterns of cooperation on transnational issues, also give direction to other industrialized countries and the larger international community. In addition, they provide guidance to international organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

When the Summits began in 1975, the main focus was economic and financial -- macroeconomic management, international trade, international institutions and relations with developing countries. From this initial foundation, the Summit economic agenda has expanded considerably to include microeconomic issues ranging from employment to electronic commerce. While the early Summits issued some statements on political issues, this focus has become much broader since the end of the Cold War in 1989 and with Russia becoming a member of the group. At the Summits the leaders also have established concrete action plans on transnational issues such as terrorism, financial crime, nuclear safety and security, and non-proliferation. Leaders discuss a host of political issues ranging from human rights to regional security to arms control. Bilateral meetings among the different leaders are also an important feature of the Summits.

At the first Summit, held at Rambouillet, France in November 1975, there were six participants: France, the United States, Britain, West Germany, Japan and Italy. They were joined by Canada at the Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico Summit of 1976, and by the European Community at the London Summit of 1977.

After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia began to become more closely involved in the annual summits. Starting at the 1994 Naples Summit, Russia participated in political meetings with the seven other countries. When the leaders gathered in Denver, Colorado in June 1997, Russian became a formal participant in the process and the Summits thereafter were called the Group of Eight. However, Russia does not participate in certain economic discussions.

At the Birmingham, England Summit in June 1998, for the first time, Russia was included in nearly all discussions of the leaders. The Birmingham Summit also departed from previous summit formats in several other ways. They agenda was more streamlined to focus on certain central themes and the G-8 foreign ministers and the G-7 finance ministers hosted separate meetings in advance of the main Summit.

The pre-summit meetings of G-8 foreign ministers and G-7 finance ministers was repeated at the Cologne Summit in 1999. The same arrangement is set for the Kyushu-Okinawa G-8 Summit this year.

The Summit process is more than a once-a-year event. To help manage the broad range of issues discussed, finance and foreign ministers from the Summit countries meet regularly throughout the year. In addition, the leaders occasionally convene meetings of their ministers in other key areas, such as trade, education, environment, labor and justice.

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