Toronto: World leaders cast about for a common approach to securing an uneven economic recovery that is showing signs of fading.
The Group of Eight industrialised nations were meeting for a second day at a resort north of Toronto on Saturday, followed by a summit here of the larger G20 club of rich and emerging nations.
The leaders expressed concern about the situatio in the Gaza Strip, warning Israel that its blockade of the Palestinian territory cannot continue in its current form and that more aid must get through.
The leaders also said they "deeply regret the loss of life" last month when Israel boarded a Turkish protest boat, attempting to break the embargo, leading to a clash in which nine activists died.
As the official agenda shifted toward economic and political issues from aid and development, wedge issues such as shrinking government debt piles, regulating banks, and the value of China's yuan currency moved to the fore.
A global recession has given way to a three-speed recovery, with Asia's growth roaring ahead while the United States plods along and Europe lags behind.
As a result, G20 unity is fracturing, with leaders disagreeing over how best to safeguard recovery. Unemployment remains high in most advanced economies, and growth has slowed since late last year.
Debt troubles
In Europe, where Greece's debt troubles have trained attention on unsustainable public spending, the emphasis is on budget cuts to restore confidence. The United States wants the rest of the world to bolster domestic demand and not rely on Americans as consumers of last resort.
G8 leaders turned their sights on Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea, as security threats and nuclear proliferation took centre stage.
"The session... is going to focus on peace and security, Iran and North Korea will be discussed" a senior US official told reporters.
World leaders and donor groups have pledged $7.3 billion (Dh26.8 billion) in aid by 2015 to reduce child mortality and save women in poor countries from dying in childbirth, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Friday.
G8 leaders have pledged $5 billion, while non-members such as New Zealand, Norway and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have pledged a further $2.3 billion, Harper said.
"Women in developing countries will not suffer and die any more for reasons of pregnancy and childbirth," Harper added.
