Major Economies process

In 2008, the United States initiated the Major Economies Process on Energy Security and Climate Change a meeting that brought 17 of the world's largest economies together to "reinforce and accelerate global efforts under the UNFCCC."

The first gathering of this group was held in July 2008 in conjunction with the meeting of the G8. The intention was that these meetings would continue on an ongoing basis.

Attending this initial meeting were:

• Members of the Group of 8 or G8 These are the world's largest economies (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States) plus the European Union

• 8 other leading economies Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, and South Africa.

Some observers believe that the Major Economies Process will emerge as a key adjunct to the UN process, the forum where the leading emitters work out a framework that can then be presented to the larger international community in the UNFCCC meetings.