Special Report: G8 meets in Russia, Pesident Hu attends G8 summit

    ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Group of Eight (G8)leaders on Sunday set a series of guidelines for combating infectious diseases worldwide by adopting a document on the issue at their summit meeting which started earlier in the day in St.Petersburg, Russia.

    "A vigorous response to the threat of infectious diseases, the leading cause of death worldwide, is essential to global development and to the well-being of the world's population," the leaders said in a statement.

    The leaders stated in particular that the recent emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza "demands our immediate attention," adding the international community should be "adequately prepared and equipped" in fighting the disease, which has already affected economies and raised concerns globally.

    The G8 leaders have agreed to address the challenges by improving international cooperation on the surveillance and monitoring of infectious diseases, intensifying scientific research, supporting efforts by relevant international organizations to respond effectively to outbreaks of avian influenza, and fulfilling prior G8 commitments on the issue.

    According to a progress report released earlier this month by DATA, an international debt relief group, the G8 has yet to fulfill earlier pledges to provide antiretroviral drugs to Africa, expand trade and increase aid.

    Infectious and parasitic diseases today account for every fourth death in the world. That equaled 14.9 million people in 2004, or nearly 29 people each minute, according to the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Leaders of Russia, Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, the United States, France and Japan are gathering in the second biggest Russian city of St. Petersburg for their annual summit meeting.

    Russia, which hosts its first ever G8 summit, has put global energy security, education and the fight against infectious diseases on the top of agenda. Enditem