ABSTRACT
The Americans had always intended the centre-piece of the Sea Island Summit to be the launch of a far-reaching initiative to encourage political and economic reform in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, from Morocco to Afghanistan. The morning sessions on 9 June covered the world economy, international trade and entrepreneurship for development. The heads had a first discussion of the private sector's role in development on 9 June and issued an Action Plan on Entrepreneurship and the Eradication of Poverty. They returned to development issues for the main morning session on 10 June. On 10 June, the G8 turned to development issues, leading up to their working lunch with the Africans. They issued six more declarations and action plans: on health issues on ending famine; on transparency and combating corruption; on debt relief; and on science and technology for sustainable development. The G8 commitments on health and famine were directly relevant to Africa.
