Leaders from the world's major industrialised nations are set to meet on the Baltic coast this week for a G8 summit, where they will attempt to address deep divisions on global warming and various foreign policy issues. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, hosting the event at the Kempinski Grand Hotel in Heiligendamm, has been working tirelessly to pave the way for progress in the fight against climate change. However, her efforts seem futile following US President George W. Bush's recent announcement of a climate strategy that diverges from the approach favored by Merkel and other Europeans. Merkel has expressed the belief that the United Nations, rather than individual countries or groups, should lead global efforts to combat climate change. She anticipates a challenging summit, stating, "We will wrestle with climate change until the very last minute." You will notice that there are conflicting opinions because some things may not make it into the final document. With no agreement on climate issues, the German hosts aim to shift the focus of the June 6-8 meeting to Africa. G8 countries, criticized for not fulfilling promises made two years ago to help combat poverty in Africa, are expected to reconfirm commitments to double development aid by 2010. Additionally, the group, consisting of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United States, will unveil plans to increase funding for AIDS prevention in Africa. However, disagreements on major global issues could overshadow areas of agreement, even if leaders manage to avoid public disputes. Disputes over foreign policy matters such as the US missile shield in central Europe and the push for Kosovo's independence have caused tension between the United States and Russia. However, recent efforts by President Bush to mend relations, including inviting Russian President Putin to his family home in Maine, suggest a desire to reduce conflict. Despite their disagreements, experts believe the two leaders will find ways to move forward. The Europeans understand that changes to US foreign and climate change policy will not happen until a new president takes office, so they prefer to avoid major confrontation. Bush, known for surprising Merkel with a backrub at the 2006 summit in St. Petersburg, still has 1-1/2 years left in office. However, Heiligendamm will be the final G8 summit for Tony Blair and likely Putin, who plans to step down next year. Newcomers to the summit include French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The informal meetings of the world's top industrial powers began in 1975 with the G6 before Canada joined in 1976 and Russia in 1998. These meetings were initially convened in Rambouillet, France to coordinate economic policy in response to a global oil crisis and the collapse of the Bretton Woods system of fixed exchange rates. The club, which is responsible for nearly two-thirds of global growth but only represents about one-eighth of the world's population, is now facing accusations of irrelevance and is being pressured to adapt to a shift in the global economic balance. In response to these concerns, Merkel has invited the leaders of Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa to a meeting this year. The landscape has changed significantly since world leaders first gathered three decades ago, with events such as the Sept. 11 attacks, clashes between protesters and police at a 2001 summit in Genoa, and bombings in London during the 2005 summit altering the dynamics of these gatherings. German police had confrontations with hundreds of protesters on Saturday in Rostock, who were causing chaos by setting fire to cars, throwing bottles, and lighting bins on fire. This violence followed a larger peaceful demonstration. A total of 16,000 German security personnel will be working during the three-day meeting, with leaders being protected by a 12-kilometre fence from tens of thousands of demonstrators.