Leaders from the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Japan, Canada, Russia and the European Union meet each year to discuss major economic and political issues.
-- President Bush heads to Russia on Friday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin before both leaders attend the Group of Eight summit. Here are some of the expected topics of discussion at the G-8:
John J. Kirton, director of the University of Toronto's G8 Research Group, will be online from the International Media Center in St. Petersburg, where he is leading a team of experts and students to analyze the Group of Eight summit meetings. Friday, July 14 at 10 a.m. ET
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G8 Summit 2006
For the first time, Russia chairs the Group of Eight summit, held July 15 to July 17 in St. Petersburg.
An overview of events during the Group of Eight Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.
FRIDAY, JULY 14
President Bush arrives in St. Petersburg and visits the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad.
Bush meets with civil society leaders from across Russia.
President Bush and Laura Bush attend a social dinner in Strelna, Russia.
SATURDAY
Bush and President Putin have meeting and attend a working lunch.
President Bush and Laura Bush attend social dinner with G8 leaders.
SUNDAY
Leaders meet in the morning for the first working session.
G8 leaders meet with students from the Junior Eight program, who will present findings from their alternative summit.
G8 leaders have a working lunch, attend second working session, and have a working dinner.
MONDAY
G8 leaders meet and lunch with leaders from Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa, and representatives from the African Union, Commonwealth of Independent States, United Nations, International Atomic Energy Agency and World Health Organization.
Bush participates in an embassy greeting in St. Petersburg, then departs for Andrews Air Force Base.
For the first time, Russia chairs the Group of Eight summit, held July 15 to July 17 in St. Petersburg.