2006. vol. 1. No. 6

The paper presents a brief assessment of the run up to the Saint-Petersburg summit and its outcomes. The author points out the importance and complexity of the Russian G8 Chairmanship priorities, and emphasizes the fact that in spite of a sophistication of the negotiating processes, St. Petersburg produced 14 summit documents plus Chair’s summary totaling 317 specific, concrete commitments. The result has confirmed the tendency for increasing the number of commitment characteristic of the seventh series, this is the highest of any summit since they started in 1975. 216 of these commitments reflect decisions in the Presidency priority issues: 52- relate to fight against infectious diseases; 114 – to global energy security; 50 – education for innovative society in the 21st century.

The paper presents an analysis carried out on the basis of accessable empirical data aiming to identify and systematize factors contributing to G8 education commitments compliance. Global coordination in education has being one of the priorities for the G8 2006 Saint-Petersburg summit, hence the analysis focus on selected commitments made in this area has both analytical and practical value.

John Kirton - Director of the G8 Research Group, University of Toronto.

Paper prepared for a 2006 G8 Pre-Summit Seminar “On the Road to St. Petersburg:The Role of International Organizations in Implementing G8 Commitments,” co-sponsored by the State University Higher School of Economics (SU-HSE), Moscow and the G8 Research Group, University of Toronto, Toronto, Moscow, June 30, 2006. Version of June 22. I am grateful for the contribution of Laura Sunderland, Senior Researcher of the G8 Research Group.