Previous G8 summits in France

Lyon - 1996

 

President Chirac chaired the G7 for the first time in 1996. The summit was dominated by the fight against terrorism and organised crime. The Seven decided to step up their co-operation in this area. A discussion was also held on "globalisation for the benefit of all", which put this issue firmly on the international agenda. In the economic field, the Seven agreed to reduce the debt of the poorest countries by launching the HIPC debt reduction initiative. Also on the agenda were the peace process in Bosnia, the situation in the Middle East, the environment and the reforms of the United Nations institutions.

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Communiqué : A new partnership for development June 29, 1996

For the first time, a meeting took place between the leaders of the major industrialized nations and the heads of the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization on June 29, 1996, at the conclusion of t This meeting served to elaborate on ways to implement the new partnership for development proposed by the Heads of State and Government in their Communiqué of June 28.

In their determination to ensure substantial flows of aid and to provide the necessary support to multilateral action in favor of development, the Heads of State and Government strongly urged the heads of the international organizations to persevere resol The new partnership starts from the principle that it is the responsibility of the developing countries themselves to determine and pursue policies to reduce poverty and foster sustainable, job-creating, equitable and environmentally-friendly development. All participants at the meeting stated their conviction of the need to focus grants and concessional financing primarily on the poorest countries, to enable them to implement these policies and thus benefit from the globalization of capital and trade flow They decided to pay particular attention to Sub-Saharan Africa. A medium-term strategy will be framed for this continent, taking as its starting point the initiative launched by the United Nations Secretary-General on March 15.

Based on solidarity and effective burden-sharing among all participants in the development process, this new partnership should contribute to sustainable development and the success of globalization for the benefit of all.