A draft communique from the G8 countries in Toyako, Japan indicates their desire to collaborate with the nearly 200 states engaged in UN climate change discussions to establish a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050. The document, obtained by Reuters prior to its official approval by G8 leaders at a summit in northern Japan, also mentions the necessity of mid-term goals to reach the 2050 target. This declaration shifts the focus of combating global warming to UN-led talks aimed at creating a new framework after the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012, while also addressing internal disagreements within the G8. The UN negotiations are scheduled to conclude in Copenhagen in December 2009. Despite the careful wording of the climate statement, which is typically the most contentious aspect of summit discussions, it is unlikely to satisfy those advocating for more specific targets. Last year, the G8 group of wealthy countries, including Japan, Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, and the United States, agreed to only "seriously consider" the goal of cutting global emissions in half by 2050. The European Union and Japan have been pushing for this year's summit to go further and wanted clear interim targets. However, US President George W Bush has stated that the US cannot commit to binding targets unless major polluters like China and India also reduce their emissions. The European Union's leadership welcomed the agreement on climate change, calling it a "new, shared vision" and keeping negotiations on track for a global agreement in 2009. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the deal sends a strong message to people worldwide and that the EU's goals for the G8 summit in northern Japan had been met. Global warming is connected to other important issues such as rising food and fuel prices, which are being discussed at a three-day meeting in a luxurious mountain-top hotel on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. The leaders at the summit expressed concerns about the world economy facing uncertainties and risks, including the impact of high oil prices. Additionally, they hinted at the need for China to allow their tightly controlled exchange rate to appreciate in order to help address global financial imbalances. The G8 leaders also agreed to convene a world energy forum to bring major oil producers and consumers together to discuss output and prices. The increasing prices of food and oil, reaching a record high of $145.85 a barrel last week, are having a significant impact on the world's impoverished populations. According to a recent World Bank study, up to 105 million more individuals may fall below the poverty line due to the spike in food prices, with 30 million of them being in Africa. World Bank President Robert Zoellick stated that how the global system responds to this crisis will determine its dedication to assisting those most in need. To alleviate the effects of this situation, G8 officials have announced plans to implement various measures to support Africa, particularly its farmers, and have committed to doubling aid to provide an additional $50 billion in aid by 2010, with half of the funds allocated to the world's poorest continent. The summit concludes on Wednesday with a Major Economies Meeting that includes the G8 and eight other large countries that emit significant amounts of greenhouse gases, such as India, China, and Australia.