The Dialogue Process with Emerging Countries
The emerging economies’ growing weight on the world scene necessitates their involvement in the identification of solutions to the major world challenges, such as sustainable economic growth, climate change and fighting poverty.
Over the years, the G7/G8 Presidencies have begun inviting a number of emerging countries in an ad hoc manner to specific sessions of talks.
Germany decided in 2007 to focus on dialogue with the five main emerging economies: Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. This dialogue, dubbed the Heiligendamm Dialogue Process, sets no negotiating goals but places the emphasis on the “process” aspect. The aim is for all concerned to become better acquainted and to arrive at a meeting of minds on a number of crucial areas and, ideally, at the adoption of joint actions.
The proceedings revolve around four working groups, whose specific topics are as follows:
2. Innovation, including intellectual property rights;
3. Energy, with particular reference to energy efficiency;
4. Development, in Africa in particular.
These topics are discussed by working groups that meet periodically.
The HDP has produced an initial interim report (submitted to the Summit held in Japan in 2008) and a final report is due for submission to the G8 Summit to be held on La Maddalena. It will fall to Italy, in its capacity as President of both the G8 and the Heiligendamm Process, to propose the format to be adopted by the G8 for continuing dialogue with the emerging economies.
