Leaders from the world's major industrialized nations will attempt to address significant disagreements on global warming and various foreign policy issues during the upcoming G8 summit on the Baltic coast. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is hosting the annual meeting at the Kempinski Grand Hotel in Heiligendamm, has been working diligently to pave the way for progress in combating climate change. However, her efforts seem unlikely to succeed following US President George W. Bush's recent announcement of a climate strategy that diverges from the approach favored by Merkel and other European leaders. Merkel has emphasized the importance of the United Nations taking the lead in global efforts to address climate change, anticipating a challenging summit ahead. "We will continue to grapple with climate change until the very end," Merkel stated in an interview with Der Spiegel magazine. It will be evident that there are varying opinions due to the possibility of certain elements not being included in the final document. Despite the lack of agreement on climate-related matters, the German hosts are eager to redirect the focus of the June 6-8 meeting towards Africa. Facing criticism for not fulfilling promises made at a summit in Scotland two years ago to assist in alleviating poverty on the continent, G8 countries are expected to reiterate their commitments to doubling development aid by 2010. The group, consisting of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States, will also reveal plans to increase funding for AIDS prevention in Africa. However, disagreements on major global issues may overshadow areas of agreement, even if leaders manage to avoid any public disputes. Disputed foreign policy matters include the US proposal to install a missile defense system in central Europe and efforts by the US and Europe to grant Kosovo effective independence from Serbia. Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly opposes both initiatives, causing concern among German hosts about a potential confrontation with US President Bush. However, recent actions by Bush, including referring to Putin as a "friend" and inviting him to his family home in Maine, suggest efforts to ease tensions. According to Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, the two leaders may ultimately agree to disagree on many major issues. The Europeans are aware that changes to US foreign and climate change policy will not occur until a new president is in office, so they are avoiding major confrontation. Bush, who surprised Merkel with a backrub at the 2006 summit, still has 1-1/2 years left in office. This will be the last G8 summit for Tony Blair and possibly Putin, who plans to step down next year. New leaders like Nicolas Sarkozy and Shinzo Abe will be attending. The informal meetings of the top industrial powers began in 1975 in Rambouillet, France to coordinate economic policy after a global oil crisis and the collapse of the Bretton Woods system. The club, responsible for a large portion of global growth despite having a small fraction of the world's population, is now being criticized for its lack of relevance and is being urged to adjust to the shifting global economic landscape. In response to these concerns, Merkel has extended invitations to the leaders of Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa this year. Changes have occurred since world leaders first began meeting three decades ago, with events such as the 9/11 attacks, clashes between anti-globalization protesters and police, and bombings in London during summits altering the dynamics of such meetings. German police clashed with protesters in Rostock on Saturday after a peaceful demonstration, during which cars were set on fire, bottles were thrown, and bins were torched. Approximately 16,000 security personnel will be on duty for the three-day meeting, with leaders being kept separate from tens of thousands of demonstrators by a 12-kilometre fence.