G8 US 2012

G8 2012 logo The 2012 G8 summit was hosted at Camp David on 18-19 May 2012.

The agenda included discussions on foreign policy, the global economy, energy and food security.

Four African leaders were invited to join the summit: Chairperson of the African Union and President of Benin Yayi Boni, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, President John Mills of Ghana and President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.

Read official updates from the US State Department.

A change in approach

Writing for the Guardian's PovertyMatters blog, Bond's international advocacy adviser, Jo Rea, said:

"This year's G8 saw a significant change in the summit's approach – it was a low-key meeting hosted at President Barack Obama's Camp David retreat. Emphasis was on informal bilateral time for leaders to discuss issues of the day such as the global economy, the eurozone and political and security issues.

"This shift in tone signals an important change in the geopolitical landscape. It is clear that the G20 has replaced what once was the G8's dominant position and the G8 has been forced to adapt its mandate and format in an effort to remain relevant in a changed world.

"Of most interest was an initiative on food security and nutrition, the new alliance for food security and nutrition. The day before the summit a high-level event, including a keynote address by Obama, launched this initiative to 'achieve sustained and inclusive agricultural growth and raise 50 million people out of poverty over the next 10 years'.

"Yet the initiative is limited in scope and ambition, and focused on mobilising private capital. It includes agreement by 45 local and multilateral companies to invest $3bn in African agriculture and the alliance will be launched initially in only three countries: Tanzania, Ethiopia and Ghana. Detailed co-operation frameworks have been published for each country listing the domestic and international companies that have signed up to the initiative. International companies include SABMiller, Monsanto, United Phosphorous Ltd, Diageo, Yara International, Unilever and Vodophone.

"Many NGOs have expressed concern that the alliance created space for G8 leaders to sidestep their existing responsibilities on food security agreed at the 2009 L'Aquila G8. At that summit, the G8 agreed to commit $22bn in public financing for food security and although this year is the target date to achieve the commitment, only half of the funding has been delivered (although it has been committed). The Camp David Declaration commits leaders to 'fulfil outstanding L'Aquila financial pledges', but there is no target date."

Summit outcomes

The summit outcome outcomes cover a range of issues including the global economy, energy & climate change, food security & nutrition and security issues.

The official summit communiqué, the Camp David Declaration, outlines G8 agreement of these issues.

The G8 also published statements on:

The global economy
Global oil markets
Energy and climate change
G8 action on the Deauville partnership with Arab countries in transition
Report from the G8 Nuclear safety and security group
Report from the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting
Statement from the G8 peacekeeping and peace building group

The US published the second G8 accountability report and detailed tables for France, the UK, Italy, Germany, Canada, the USA, Japan, Spain, Sweden and the EU.

Read ActionAid's analysis of the accountability report

Read President Obama's summit opening and closing remarks.

The UK Prime Minister outlined his priorities for the summit in an article which includes a comment by Ben Jackson, Bond Chief Executive.

Food security initiative

The G8 launched a new G8 initiative on food security and nutrition.

White House fact sheet that outlines the details of the initiative
President Obama's speech to launch the new alliance on food security and nutrition
All speeches and statements for the Chicago Council event
Cooperation frameworks with the initial three countries: Tanzania, Ethiopia and Ghana