What does G8 stand for? 

G8

The Group of Eight is a forum for the governments of eight of the world's eleven largest national economies; not included are Brazil at 7th, India at 9th and China at 2nd. The forum originated with a 1975 summit hosted by France that brought together representatives of six governments: France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, thus leading to the name Group of Six or G6. The summit became known as the Group of Seven or G7 the following year with the addition of Canada. The G7 is composed of 7 of 8 of the wealthiest countries on Earth and by 7 of 11 of the wealthiest countries on Earth by GDP, and it remains active despite the creation of the G8. In 1997, Russia was added to the group which then became known as the G8. The European Union is represented within the G8 but cannot host or chair summits. "G8" can refer to the member states in aggregate or to the annual summit meeting of the G8 heads of government. The former term, G6, is now frequently applied to the six most populous countries within the European Union. G8 ministers also meet throughout the year, such as the G7/8 finance ministers, G8 foreign ministers, or G8 environment ministers.

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