The participants at the G8 summit issued a communique on Saturday, declaring their support for developing countries, Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, democracy in Afghanistan, as well as their commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and the fight against climate change.
"For development, a decade of policy commitments and joint efforts with our partners has brought significant progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but both developed and developing countries must do more," the G8 leaders said in the document issued at the end of the two-day summit in Canada's Huntsville.
The leaders acknowledged that "the global community is now at the two-thirds point between adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the target date of 2015."
"Support for development, based on mutual responsibility, and a strong partnership with developing countries, particularly in Africa, remains a cornerstone of the G8's approach," they said.
The participants in the top-level talks also said that they remained "deeply concerned about serious threats to global peace and security," including Iran's nuclear program and the situation on the Korean Peninsula and called for the observance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
The G8 leaders welcomed the new arms cuts treaty signed by the Russian and U.S. presidents in April.
"We call upon all other states, in particular those possessing nuclear weapons, to join these disarmament efforts, in order to promote international stability and undiminished security for all," the leaders said.
They have called for the resumption of peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine, which have been halted since the December 2008 Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.
"We welcome the start of the proximity talks between the Palestinians and Israel, and urge them both to create conditions conducive for direct talks, with the aim of the establishment of an independent, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with each other and their neighbours," the document reads.
The G8 also reaffirmed its commitment to support democracy in Afghanistan and anti-terrorism efforts in Pakistan.
"Clear steps by Afghanistan towards more credible, inclusive and transparent parliamentary elections in September will be an important step forward in the country's maturing democracy," the G8 leaders said.
"We welcome and encourage Pakistan's ongoing efforts to root out violent extremists, especially in its border areas with Afghanistan," they said, adding "it is essential that Pakistan be supported by the international community as it addresses its political, economic and social reforms."
Among environmental issues, climate change remains "top of mind," the G8 said.
"As we agreed in L'Aquila, we recognize the scientific view that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels," the participant in the talks said in their communique.
"We reiterate our willingness to share with all countries the goal of achieving at least a 50% reduction of global emissions by 2050, recognizing that this implies that global emissions need to peak as soon as possible and decline thereafter," they said.
HUNTSVILLE (CANADA), June 27 (RIA Novosti)
