G8
G8
The Group of Eight (G8) was an international governmental political forum which existed from 1997 until 2014.
The discussion forum originated in 1975 as the Group of Six (G6) after France held the first summit.
The discussion forum originated in 1975 as the Group of Six (G6) after France held the first summit.
Who are the G8 countries?
France invited representatives of six governments: France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States to take part, the six largest economies at the time.
With the addition of Canada in 1976, the group became the G7. Russia was added to the forum from 1997, the following year it became known as the G8.
Following the annexation of Crimea, Russia was suspended indefinitely in March 2014. The political forum name reverted to G7. In 2017 Russia announced its permanent withdrawal from the G8.