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Economy looms as key issue for G8 Economy looms as key issue for G8
(20 minutes later)
World leaders are beginning a key summit in Japan, with rising food and fuel costs looming as the main issues.World leaders are beginning a key summit in Japan, with rising food and fuel costs looming as the main issues.
The Group of Eight (G8) industrialised nations will be joined by China, India, Brazil and South Africa, among others.The Group of Eight (G8) industrialised nations will be joined by China, India, Brazil and South Africa, among others.
The summit gets under way with an opening lunch, where African leaders will say rising costs have worsened the plight of the world's poorest people. At the opening lunch of the three-day talks, African leaders will set out how rising costs are worsening the plight of the world's poorest people.
The EU has been spelling out a 1bn euro ($1.6bn, $800m) fund it says will help alleviate the food crisis.The EU has been spelling out a 1bn euro ($1.6bn, $800m) fund it says will help alleviate the food crisis.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told reporters on the sidelines of the summit the fund to help poor farmers in developing countries would come from unused EU farm subsidies.European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told reporters on the sidelines of the summit the fund to help poor farmers in developing countries would come from unused EU farm subsidies.
Food focusFood focus
The G8 summit is being held at a resort on the northern island of Hokkaido.The G8 summit is being held at a resort on the northern island of Hokkaido.
Japan has spent a record sum of money and deployed about 20,000 police to seal off the remote lakeside town of Toyako before the three days of talks.Japan has spent a record sum of money and deployed about 20,000 police to seal off the remote lakeside town of Toyako before the three days of talks.
Focus on food, fuel and financeJapanese island locks downCharity in sanitation pleaFocus on food, fuel and financeJapanese island locks downCharity in sanitation plea
The host country's original idea was to make climate change the focus of this year's summit.The host country's original idea was to make climate change the focus of this year's summit.
But the impact on the global economy of price rises and other shocks such as the credit crunch have already eclipsed that concern, correspondents says.But the impact on the global economy of price rises and other shocks such as the credit crunch have already eclipsed that concern, correspondents says.
The BBC's political editor, Nick Robinson, who is travelling to the summit with the UK prime minister, says Gordon Brown will join other leaders in calling for the doubling of food production in Africa.The BBC's political editor, Nick Robinson, who is travelling to the summit with the UK prime minister, says Gordon Brown will join other leaders in calling for the doubling of food production in Africa.
Our correspondent says the G8 may call for the creation of a panel of international experts to advise on how to predict and hopefully avoid another crisis like this.Our correspondent says the G8 may call for the creation of a panel of international experts to advise on how to predict and hopefully avoid another crisis like this.
The Group of Eight consists of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.The Group of Eight consists of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.
The best way to help the impoverished around the world is through trade US President George W Bush G8 summit: The key issuesAction urged on childbirth deathsThe best way to help the impoverished around the world is through trade US President George W Bush G8 summit: The key issuesAction urged on childbirth deaths
They will be joined by leaders from some 15 other countries, including eight African states.They will be joined by leaders from some 15 other countries, including eight African states.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Japanese PM Yasuo Fukuda on Sunday, US President George W Bush acknowledged that the US economy was not as robust as he would like.
Mr Fukuda said he and Mr Bush had agreed that there was "a need for swift efforts" to tackle surging oil and food prices that are "having a negative impact on the world economy".
As well as discussing development issues in Africa, the G8 leaders are widely expected to condemn Robert Mugabe's controversial re-election in Zimbabwe last month.As well as discussing development issues in Africa, the G8 leaders are widely expected to condemn Robert Mugabe's controversial re-election in Zimbabwe last month.
As he headed to the summit, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said he would discuss the crisis with African leaders there.
Zimbabwe's political parties should "work out an arrangement so that they can really bring back democratic rules, the rule of law and peace and stability in their country", he told the French news agency AFP.
Malaysia summitMalaysia summit
A number of other bilateral meetings are taking place on the sidelines of the summit.A number of other bilateral meetings are taking place on the sidelines of the summit.
Mr Bush, attending his last G8 summit, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, attending his first, are expected to discuss the US plan for missile defence installations in the Czech Republic and Poland.Mr Bush, attending his last G8 summit, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, attending his first, are expected to discuss the US plan for missile defence installations in the Czech Republic and Poland.
HAVE YOUR SAY Why not talk about stopping the wars in the world, as most of the G8 countries manufacture and supply the weapons Geoff Berry, Bolton, UKSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Why not talk about stopping the wars in the world, as most of the G8 countries manufacture and supply the weapons Geoff Berry, Bolton, UKSend us your comments
Mr Brown will also have talks with Mr Medvedev. Relations between the two countries have been uneasy since the Russian agent turned dissident Alexander Litvinenko was murdered in London two years ago.Mr Brown will also have talks with Mr Medvedev. Relations between the two countries have been uneasy since the Russian agent turned dissident Alexander Litvinenko was murdered in London two years ago.
Meanwhile, the charity Water Aid has told the G8 that the single most effective measure it could take to prevent the deaths of millions of children in poor countries would be to build toilets and provide clean water.Meanwhile, the charity Water Aid has told the G8 that the single most effective measure it could take to prevent the deaths of millions of children in poor countries would be to build toilets and provide clean water.
Hundreds of protesters again marched through Sapporo on Sunday, the city closest to the venue, on the eve of the talks to demand G8 leaders take action on global warming, poverty and rising food prices.Hundreds of protesters again marched through Sapporo on Sunday, the city closest to the venue, on the eve of the talks to demand G8 leaders take action on global warming, poverty and rising food prices.
The demonstration, which followed a similar protest on Saturday, was heavily policed and ended peacefully.The demonstration, which followed a similar protest on Saturday, was heavily policed and ended peacefully.
Violent anti-globalisation marches have marred past G8 meetings.Violent anti-globalisation marches have marred past G8 meetings.
As the G8 got under way in Japan, leaders of the world's largest Islamic nations assembled for what is being billed as the D8 summit in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, with the issue of inflation high on the agenda there.As the G8 got under way in Japan, leaders of the world's largest Islamic nations assembled for what is being billed as the D8 summit in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, with the issue of inflation high on the agenda there.