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Objective 1: Development
Grade: A- (ODA = B and Africa Plan = A+)
It was expected that Britain would increase its official development assistance (ODA) at Kananaskis to meet UN standards. No new aid was committed, however, simply allocated from the increased funding commitment made at Monterrey. The leaders devoted "aggregate half or more" of new development assistance commitments announced at Monterrey to African nations that "govern justly, invest in their own people and promote economic freedom."
Indeed, Prime Minister Blair acted as the leading advocate of African issues in the G8 and in accordance with the Prime Minister's belief that the allocation of aid should not be determined by donors, but by African countries' own nationally-led strategies, the G8 adopted the G8 Action Plan for Africa, as a framework for action in support of the New Partnership for Africa Development NEPAD. Under this action plan, all countries agreed to establish "enhanced partnerships" with African countries whose performance reflects the NEPAD commitments in terms of good governance. Under the G8 Action Plan for Africa, issues addressed include health care, education, increased market access, agricultural subsidies, the development of a robust private sector, and infrastructures.
Moreover, under the G8 Action Plan for Africa, the G8 agreed to work with African nations to generate a plan aimed at the development of "African capability to undertake peace support operations." Prime Minister Blair acted as one of the strongest advocates of this initiative.
In terms of health, prior to the Summit, the British Government was of the opinion that the Global Health Fund should not be used solely for the treatment of HIV/AIDS but should focus equally on other infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and malaria, alongside HIV/AIDS. In the Chair's Summary, the leaders of the G8 countries "underlined the devastating consequences for Africa's development of diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS" and committed to providing sufficient resources to the eradication of polio by 2005.
Objective 2: Terrorism
Grade: B
As stated in the initial report, Britain condemned the use of terrorist tactics and emphasized the need for greater international co-operation in generating and improving preventative and enforcement strategies. As stated in the G8 Chair's Summary, the leaders discussed the threat posed to citizens and societies by terrorists and those who support them. In doing so, the G8 collectively committed to sustained and comprehensive actions to "reduce the threat of terrorist attacks." This included agreement on six non-proliferation principles aimed at preventing terrorists from "acquiring or developing nuclear, chemical, radiological an biological weapons; missiles; and related materials, equipment and technologies" and the leaders called on other countries in implementing these principles. The G8 also launched a new G8 Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction and agreed on a new "initiative with clear deadlines" to strengthen the security and efficiency of the global transportation system: Cooperative G8 Action on Transport Security.
While the leaders summarized steps taken to combat terrorism in G8 Counter-Terrorism Cooperation since September 11, Backgrounder, the Chair's Summary did not address the targeting of resources available to terrorists, nor did it stress the need cut off funding for terrorism or other money laundering issues.
Objective 3: Economy
Grade: C-
As stated in the Country Objectives Report, domestic economic stability was the focus of the British Government. Due to the downturn in global economic growth, the Chair's Summary predominantly dealt with the global economy, and the challenges of poverty reduction and sustainable development. Nonetheless, employment was discussed in a global context.
In terms of macroeconomics and monetary policy, the United Kingdom has introduced financial reforms to deal with the inflow of euro-dollars to make euros more accessible and easier to track. This area of British economic interests-currency regulation-was not discussed at the G8 Summit nor addressed in the Chair's Summary.
Prepared by Denisse Rudich
University of Toronto G8 Research Group
July 2002
 
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