The first event of its kind in Uzbekistan, the Model G8 involves students from leading universities in Tashkent and is a simulation of the events of the actual G8 Summit, which this year will be chaired by the UK.

The Model G8 aims to support students with an interest in international relations to develop their negotiating and communicating skills.

At the Model G8 Summit, in front of an audience of 100 Ambassadors, diplomats, dignitaries, parents and students, the sixteen students representing the eight countries in the G8 will present their countries’ positions and seek to negotiate a joint communiqué on tax evasion and tax avoidance. During coffee and lunch breaks at the Summit, students will have an opportunity to share their thoughts about the G8 agenda and the G8’s global priorities with Ambassadors from G8 countries in Tashkent. The British Foreign Secretary has written to the students, wishing them luck and thanking them for their participation in the Model G8.

Speaking before the Summit, the British Ambassador, His Excellency George Edgar O.B.E. said: “‘I know how hard the students have been working for the past two weeks, developing their diplomatic skills, practising their negotiating and researching their countries’ positions. I wish them the very best of luck for the Summit – may the best leader win!”

The G8 is a group of eight major economies that between them make up 50% of global GDP. The UK’s G8 chairmanship agenda will deal head on with the big issues of the day that affect the stability and growth of the global economy. At the heart of the UK’s G8 agenda are three issues – advancing trade, ensuring tax compliance and promoting greater transparency.

These are all areas where the G8 can play a distinctive role, using our commitment to open economies, open governments and open societies to support enterprise and deliver economic growth. Trade, tax and transparency are critical issues for global prosperity, for jobs and for sustainable development.

The British Prime Minister wants to take every opportunity to discuss the major issues facing the global economy in an effort to reach global consensus and collective determination to address the economic challenges the world faces.