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G-8 tackles bird flu, deforestation, educational issues in 2006+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)TOKYO, Jan. 4_(Kyodo) _ Group of Eight leaders will work to get bird flu under control this year, especially as the disease has killed more than 70 people in Asia and spread to Russia and parts of Europe, sparking concern about a potential worldwide flu pandemic, Japanese government sources said Wednesday. The G-8 leaders are also considering extending greater assistance to improve education in developing countries and stemming illegal deforestation as part of efforts to curb climate change in the run-up to their summit in July in St. Petersburg, the sources said. Energy security, education and infectious disease control are three major issues on the agenda during Russia's first G-8 presidency that began Sunday, with aid to Africa and climate change as follow-up topics from last year's British presidency. Along with leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, the heads of institutions such as the World Health Organization, the International Energy Agency and the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization are expected to take part in the July summit. According to the sources, G-8 policymakers are eyeing an early alert system for an outbreak of a new type of bird flu virus easily passed from person to person. Until now, humans have caught the H5N1 strain of avian flu from direct contact with birds. But experts fear the strain may mutate into a form easily spread among humans, triggering a global flu pandemic that could kill millions of people. G-8 officials are also considering developing new flu vaccines and providing developing countries with them, the sources said. The G-8 countries so far have discussed the importance of ensuring transparency in avian flu data, strengthening the role of WHO in combating the flu and boosting stockpiles of anti-flu drugs such as Tamiflu, they said. As for energy security, the G-8 plans to call for the development of nuclear energy and clean energy sources such as solar power and fuel cells in the quest for environmentally and economically sustainable energy, which would also help control climate change. G-8 members are also considering drawing up measures to crack down on illegal deforestation, the sources said. The group is expected to request that consumers redouble their efforts to enhance energy efficiency in a bid to stabilize high oil prices. Although off their 2005 peaks, crude oil prices are projected to remain high this year, due partly to surging demand from emerging economic powerhouses like China and India. On education, the G-8 plans to help Africa and other parts of the developing world improve their education systems with the goal of ensuring quality education for all people, the sources said. Experts say this is vital for eradicating poverty and building the basis for the development of any society, the sources said. Specifically, G-8 officials are likely to call for increased vocational training and distance learning with Internet use as a way of promoting education around the world, they said. Among other issues, the G-8 is expected to focus on ways to strengthen anti-terrorism measures, nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the peace building process in the Middle East, they said. The G-8 also plans to consider a trade-related development package for poor countries, including technical assistance and financial aid to build harbors, roads and other basic infrastructure. One G-8 country is requesting that major emerging economies open their markets to poorer countries, while another urges the developed world to eliminate trade barriers on farm products. These calls are seen key to advancing trade liberalization talks under the World Trade Organization, with the view to successfully concluding the current Doha Round by the end of 2006 as scheduled. |