OECD Preparatory Work for the G8 Summit (links)

Paris, 22 May 2006

The G8 and OECD work very closely together. Top OECD officials meet periodically with the personal representatives of the G8 leaders (Sherpas and sous-Sherpas) to discuss current and future OECD work related to G8 issues. It has also become a tradition that the OECD holds its annual  Meeting of the Council at Ministerial Level  four to six weeks before the Summit meeting to promote the best possible co-ordination.

For  this year's Summit in Saint Petersburg , Russia, the top priorities laid down by President Vladimir Putin are global energy security ,  education , and fighting infectious diseases . The OECD, and the International Energy Agency, have been co-operating very closely with the Russian presidency in the preparation of the G8 discussions.

Other issues to be discussed at the G8 Summit are: development of the global economy ,  finance and trade ,  environment ,  settlement of regional conflicts  and  counterterrorism .

For OECD reports on Russia: www.oecd.org/ccnm/russia .

For OECD work on G8 priorities for 2006 Summit, read below.

Global energy security

Diversity, efficiency and flexibility within the energy sector are basic conditions for longer-term energy security. The  International Energy Agency , together with the  Nuclear Energy Agency , aim to help governments around the world achieve a sustainable energy future through curbing energy import dependence and lessening economic vulnerability to high energy prices.

Trends and Analysis 

• Energy policy - No silver bullet by Claude Mandil, Executive Director, International Energy Agency
• World Energy Outlook 2005 - Middle East and North Africa Insights  
• Prospects of hydrogen and fuel cells
• Energy and poverty in Africa

• Global data and graphs

Looking Ahead

• Saving oil in a hurry  
• The IEA Global Renewable Energy Policies and Measures Database
• Innovation in energy technology: Comparing national innovation systems

For further information on OECD work on energy: www.oecd.org/energy .

Education

Both individuals and countries benefit from education. For individuals, the potential benefits lie in the general quality of life and in the economic returns of sustained, satisfying employment. For countries, the potential benefits lie in economic growth and the development of shared values that underpin social cohesion. The OECD helps countries achieve high-quality learning for all; one that contributes to personal development, sustainable economic growth and social cohesion.

Trends and Indicators

• Education at a Glance 2005
• Country Reviews
• World Education Indicators    
• Teachers and teaching   
• PISA Survey 2003

Analysis

• Immigrant children in education
• CERI - Schooling for Tomorrow
• Adult learning
• Personalising education
• Literacy: Words count
• Early childhood education and care
• Guidelines on Quality Provision in Cross-border Higher Education
• Students with disabilities, learning difficulties and disadvantages

For further information on OECD work on education: www.oecd.org/education .

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases account for more than 17 million deaths worldwide each year, 95% of them in developing countries. The wider effects of infectious diseases extend beyond the risks of spreading infection from the affected country and pose a threat to global economic development and security.

• Health at a Glance 2005
• Biotechnology and Sustainability: The Fight Against Infectious Disease  
• Prorities in Global Assistance for Health, AIDS and Population

For further information on OECD work on health: www.oecd.org/health .

Development of the Global Economy

• Economic outlook – March 2006
• Going for Growth 2006 – Economic Policy Reforms
• Benefits of reducing barriers to competition, investment and trade

For further information on OECD work on economics and growth: www.oecd.org/economics & www.oecd.org/growth .

Finance and Trade

• After the WTO Hong Kong meeting: What is at stake?
• Trade and Structural Adjustment: Embracing Globalisation
• OECD and Trade Policy
• Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
• OECD Anti-Bribery Convention

For further information on OECD work on finance and trade: www.oecd.org/finance & www.oecd.org/trade .

Environment

• OECD Factbook 2006  
• Environment at a Glance: OECD Environmental Indicators  
• Climate change overview
• Benefits of climate change policies
• Climate change and development
• Key Environmental Indicators

For further information on OECD work on environment and sustainable development: www.oecd.org/environment & www.oecd.org/sustainabledevelopment .

Settlement of Regional Conflicts

• Conflict, Peace and Development Co-operation

• Development and Security
• Preventing conflict and building peace
• Guidelines on helping prevent violent conflict
• Fragile states

For further information on OECD work on development co-operation and development: www.oecd.org/dac & www.oecd.org/development .

Counterterrorism

• Insurance coverage against terrorism
• The security economy
• Terrorist Financing and Money Laundering

For further information on OECD work on insurance and the international futures programme: www.oecd.org/insurance & www.oecd.org/futures .

For further information,  journalists are invited to contact the OECD Media Relations Division at news.contact@oecd.org ; (tel: [33] 1 45 24 97 00).

Also available:

Travaux de l'OCDE portant sur les priorités du G8 au Sommet de 2006

(French)

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
http://www.oecd.org
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