President Blair launches G8 website

The UK government has launched a website to complement to help co-ordinate its presidency of the G8 group of nations.

A greeting from Prime Minister Tony Blair on the website welcomes users to the portal which will provide news and information on many aspects of the UK's presidency.

Controversially the opening address on the site also suggests Blair may be set for a run in with close friend and ally George W Bush over the issue of combating climate change, which Blair lists as one of his top priorities despite the US President refusing to adopt the Kyoto accord.

"Climate change is a global problem that needs addressing now for the sake of future generations," wrote Blair in the greeting. "The science is well established and the dangers clear. It is crucial to every country in the world that we establish a consensus now on the nature of the problem and what actions we can take. Again it is the world's richer, industrialised countries - the G8 - that have to take the lead."

The UK presidency will also focus the effort and resources of the G8 on solving many of the problems in Africa.

The government has also launched J8 - an initiative intended to give children a voice on some of the world's most pressing issues. There is a J8 website which provides more information for children, parents and teachers.