G8: the issues

Debt Relief: The G7 (G8 minus Russia) finance ministers agreed last month to cancel debts owed by 18 of the world's poorest countries (14 from Africa) to the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and African Development Bank.

A further 20 countries are in line to benefit in due course but all 38 have to implement much-criticised World Bank and IMF trade liberalisation and privatisation policies as a condition. Expect G8 leaders to trumpet this concession at the end of the summit.

Development Aid

Britain, which holds the G8 presidency this year, wanted a $50 billion increase and Chancellor Gordon Brown says $42 billion has been pledged so far, including $25 billion for Africa. Expect some extra cash to be found in time for the last press conference at Gleneagles. Sceptics query how much of this is "new money" and how much is reshuffled cash from elsewhere.

Trade

Many anti-poverty campaigners want free access to the rich countries for goods from the South but only limited liberalisation of markets in developing nations for imports from their wealthy neighbours. Agricultural export subsidies are the key issue here but the EU and US are holding out against demands to drop them.

Global Warming

Never the twain shall meet on this issue. The US political class is united as one against the Kyoto Protocol, which President Bush says would wreck the economy. The other G8 countries are signed up to it but the final communique is unlikely to contain more than pious words about reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Conflict Resolution

The focus on trade, aid and debt has taken the spotlight away from this issue but there may be agreement to provide training in peacekeeping duties for 75,000 soldiers from the countries of the African Union.

Governance

Rich donor countries balk at giving aid to corrupt leaders who will salt the money in Swiss bank accounts. The US is particularly vociferous on this issue and there may be moves by G8 to keep a closer watch on the disposal of aid money.

Other Issues: Moves from the G8 on HIV/AIDS, peace in the Middle East and Sudan are also expected.