G8

The Group of Eight, or G8, was an intergovernmental forum that brought together the governments of eight of the world's major advanced economies to discuss global issues such as economic policy, trade, security, energy, and development. The organization existed as the G6 from 1975, with Canada joining in 1976 to form the G7, and Russia joining in 1997 to form the G8.

Members: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Russia (joined 1997; suspended in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea). Since 2014, the forum has been effectively the G7 in practice, with meetings focusing on similar topics; Russia's status remains suspended by the G7.

Format and impact: The G8/G7 holds annual summits where leaders discuss economic policy, international security, energy, climate change, and development issues. The presidency rotates among member states; discussions influence policy though the group does not have formal treaty obligations. It interacts with other international bodies, such as the G20, IMF, and World Bank.

Criticisms and evolution: The group has faced criticism for being elitist and unrepresentative, excluding major emerging economies. Proponents argue it coordinates high-level agendas among major economies and complements broader multilateral forums. The G8’s relevance has been debated as global economic governance has broadened to include the G20 and other regional forums.