Rome, June 11 (DPA) The impact of the global economic crisis on poorer nations and ways to promote sustainable development strategies topped the agenda Thursday at the first ever meeting of ministers responsible for international cooperation from the Group of Eight (G8) industrialised nations.
Special attention would be devoted to difficulties being experienced by countries in Africa, according to the programme of the two-day meeting in Rome.

Other themes for discussion include the impact of climate change on international migration as well as a workshop on “neglected tropical diseases,” and their devastating effect on poorer nations, especially in Africa and Asia.

“In recent years, attention has mostly focused on three diseases: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, but very little has been done to combat certain other infectious diseases,” according to a document prepared by Italy which currently holds the G8 presidency.

Besides delegates from the G8 - US, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Russia - representatives from the so-called Group of Five (G5) emerging economies, Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa, as well as Egypt were also scheduled to join the talks.

Other participants include representatives from the World Bank, the African Development Bank and several United Nations agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the World Food Programme and the World Health Organisation.

Recommendations and strategies identified during the meeting are to be presented at the main G8 leaders summit to be held in L’Aquila, Italy from July 8-10.