What is the G8?

The G8 is an informal political forum for discussion between the heads of State and Government of the world’s main developed countries. Its primary goals are to identify the measures needed with respect to major globalizationrelated issues, to encourage and coordinate the associated political decisions and to facilitate their implementation in conjunction with the relevant international organizations.

Within the G8, France plays a leading role in development-related matters. It was the second largest contributor among OECD countries in 2009 in terms of net Offi cial Development Assistance (ODA) and second among G8 countries in terms of absolute value and the ODA/GNI (gross national income) ratio. From the outset, France has supported the G8’s commitment to development and debt restructuring for the poorest countries (the HIPC Debt Initiative was spawned at the Lyon G8). France has also supported African initiatives introducing a new, continent-wide approach to development. Because of its desire to build a new relationship with Africa through a close partnership based on aid effectiveness principles, France strives to be exemplary in the implementation of G8 actions, giving priority to the areas of intervention where its competencies and its message are solid and unequalled.

France is a major contributor of development assistance:

• 2nd largest contributor worldwide of ODA in terms of volume, and leading European contributor
• 2nd largest contributor worldwide to the Global Fund to fi ght AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
• 2nd largest contributor worldwide to GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunisation) via IFFIm (Finance Facility for Immunisation)
• Leading contributor to UNITAID
• 2nd largest contributor worldwide to the African Development Fund (ADF)
• 5th largest contributor worldwide to the International Development Association (IDA)
• 5th largest contributor worldwide to the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The G8 and Development - (PDF, 1.9 Mo)

Document produced with support from the French development agency (AFD)

^{Online: 28.06.10}