ABSTRACT
This final chapter will act as a conclusion by looking ahead to the G8’s future, which at the time of writing appears to be unusually rosy. A number of key issues and roles that it can play will be highlighted in turn: its potential to provide leadership in setting the agenda of global governance; its function as a forum for like-minded leaders to come together in a spirit of unity that emphasizes its role as a Concert; possible future directions in light of Russia’s full membership since 2003 and the hosting of its first summit in 2006, in addition to the much-touted addition of China to form a G9; and the future of the policy of outreach to non-G8 members and civil society, seemingly delivered a setback after the 2004 Sea Island Summit and in doubt at the 2006 St Petersburg Summit.
