The G8 stands for the 'Group of Eight' nations - considered to comprise some of the wealthiest and most influential nations in the world. The G8 member states are: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Use the interactive chart below to learn more about these countries.

The G8 originated in 1975 when the governments of some of the largest and wealthiest countries in the world began to meet to discuss the major economic and political issues affecting both their countries and the international community as a whole.

The G8 did not start out as eight nations - you may have heard of the G7. The original six member nations were France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, which expanded to seven with the addition of Canada in 1976 and to the eight members today when Russia joined in 1998.

Unlike some international organisations, the G8 does not have a fixed structure or a permanent administration. It is up to the G8 country that has the presidency to set the agenda and organise the annual G8 Summit. At the Summit, the leaders of the member countries meet to discuss issues that they think are particularly important at the time.

view the G8 factsheet

Leaders seek to reach informal agreements on measures they can take individually but in a cooperative manner in order to achieve their goals more effectively. At each Summit, leaders agree upon certain initiatives and, throughout the following year, conduct follow-up meetings to ensure that Summit commitments are being honoured.

G8 observer countries

Because of the G8's membership and the fact that it discusses economic policies, any meetings it has and decisions it makes have an impact on many other non-member countries, organisations and institutions.

As a result, representatives of organisations other than the G8 also attend the Summit meetings as observers. The European Union (EU) sends a representative and some other national leaders are invited to attend, for example African leaders whose countries make up the African Union. It is recognised that it is important to allow non-member countries, especially developing countries, to have a say in the decisions that may affect them. Before the Summit, views and ideas about what is to be discussed are also exchanged with other organisations, including international and national businesses and NGOs, through a consultation process.