VOA标准英语2009年-G8 Leaders End Day of Talks with Commitmen

The leaders of the world's most powerful economies ended their first day of discussions at the G8 summit in Italy with a reaffirmation of their commitment to working together on the world economic crisis, climate change and development aid to the world's poorest regions, in particular Africa. But, as our correspondent reports from the summit site at L'Aquila, those goals have already come under criticism by aid agencies.
　
U.S. President Barack Obama (L) is greeted by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at the Quirinale Palace, Rome, 08 Jul 2009

After a day of discussions in L'Aquila, it was summit host Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi who outlined the results - from commitments to overcome the global economic crisis, to climate change to development aid.

Mr. Berlusconi said despite some improvements in the global economic situation, dangers remain. He noted¹ G8 nations reaffirmed their commitment to work together and coordinate² efforts to overcome the current crisis and avoid a repeat.

On climate change, the G8 leaders found consensus³, Mr. Berlusconi said, on cutting greenhouse gas emissions⁴ and working toward sustainable and renewable energy. But, the Italian leader noted the goals could not work without the participation⁵ of emerging economies. The issue is up for further discussion in talks on Thursday.

Another major agenda item was development aid, food and water security.
　
US President Barack Obama, left, is greeted by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy, 08 Jul 2009

Mr. Berlusconi said the G8 stands by its commitments to help the world's poorest regions, in particular Africa. But, he also said development assistance needs to be restructured to reach those in need and not just the wealthy elites⁶ of poor countries.

Representatives of aid agencies have been quick to react to the declarations of this first day of the summit.

On climate change, the group Oxfam said the G8 statement was disappointing and not nearly enough to stave off dire⁷ consequences.

On development aid, the charity Oxfam and other groups have described the renewed commitments as underwhelming and disappointing.

Otive Igbuzor of the group, ActionAid said the G8 leaders have failed the credibility test on Africa.

"It leaves a huge credibility gap because just re-stating the same et up 2005 G8 commitments, without any indication of how they will meet them is simply unacceptable to us," said Otive Igbuzor.

Thursday begins with a series of bilateral⁸ meetings. and then discussions between G8 leaders and their counterparts and representatives from emerging and developing economies, including India, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Egypt.

1 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

2 coordinate   

adj.同等的，协调的；n.同等者；vt.协作，协调

参考例句：

• You must coordinate what you said with what you did.你必须使你的言行一致。
• Maybe we can coordinate the relation of them.或许我们可以调和他们之间的关系。

3 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

4 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

5 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

6 elites   

精华( elite的名词复数 )； 精锐； 上层集团； （统称）掌权人物

参考例句：

• The elites are by their nature a factor contributing to underdevelopment. 这些上层人物天生是助长欠发达的因素。
• Elites always detest gifted and nimble outsiders. 社会名流对天赋聪明、多才多艺的局外人一向嫌恶。

7 dire   

adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的

参考例句：

• There were dire warnings about the dangers of watching too much TV.曾经有人就看电视太多的危害性提出严重警告。
• We were indeed in dire straits.But we pulled through.那时我们的困难真是大极了，但是我们渡过了困难。

8 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。