Putin adviser outlines Russia's G8 priorities

8 November 2005

Igor Shuvalov, Senior Economic Adviser to President Vladimir Putin, today outlined Russia's priorities for the G8 next year.

As part of a two day event entitled 'Delivering the 2005 G8 Agenda' Mr Igor Shuvalov, the Russian G8 Sherpa and next year's chair of the G8 Sherpa Group spoke about his country's aims for its period in charge of the G8. Mr Shuvalov outlined Russia's three-tier approach to its 2006 G8 Presidency, which will concentrate on energy and energy security, education, and the prevention of disease.

In a break from previous Presidencies Mr Shuvalov said that the Russian Presidency would actively encourage input from multilateral organisations, which have a direct responsibility to deliver on the issues being discussed during the Russian chairmanship of the G8. In a rebuke to many of Russia's critics Mr Shuvalov also argued that Russia is prepared to listen to NGOs and other civil society groups but only if they were willing to take a conciliatory stance toward the G8 rather than a consistently critical one. However, he stated that unlike previous G8 presidencies Russia would not be inviting non-members such as India and Brazil to take part in the meetings.

The G8 Sherpa also admitted that Russia has a serious problem with intellectual property rights and accepted that Russia must work harder to protect property rights and make it an issue during the Russian presidency of the G8.

Representatives from the UK and other key governments will be in Chatham House to brief participants on the implementation of the commitments made in Scotland in July. This event also offers a unique opportunity to hear from the Russian government on the G8 agenda for 2006.

Notes for editors:
Delivering the 2005 G8 Agenda conference took place at Chatham House on Monday 7-Tuesday 8 November 2005. Keynote speakers included:

Speakers included:
Sir Michael Jay, 2005 G8 Sherpa Chair; Permanent Under Secretary, UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Mr Igor Shuvalov, President Putin's Senior Economic Adviser. Russian G8 Sherpa, 2006 G8 Sherpa Chair

Ella Pamfilova, Chair, President Putin's Human Rights Council.

Sir Nicholas Stern, UK government adviser on the economics of climate change and develpoment

Phil Clapp, President, National Environment Trust, Washington DC

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