The G8 will meet on Friday and Africa will be a major topic of discussion. On the table is $15 Billion for an agricultural program and a slew of promises from the wealthiest nations on Earth.
Much of the talk will revolve around the current economic crisis, climate change and the state of global trade. After all of that, the talk will turn to the poorest nations in the world- many of which are in Africa.

The G8 is meeting in advance of the Copenhagen summit this December and the plans of rich countries for Africa are gaining relevance and importance in the planning sessions. In 2005 in Gleneagles world leaders made promises to increase yearly aid to African countries to $25 Million.

This is good, right? Well, the problem is that some aid organizations say that some countries are having second thoughts- going back on their word.

Italy, host of the G8 summit, is one of the main countries fingered as changing their mind. So far the G8 summit has made limited forward motion in the climate talks, in part due to major developing nations to agree to 2050 emissions standards.

"There is a bit of frustration because one would like to convince everyone about everything and obtain all the results straight way, but things are progressing," said French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

So, what is the story? Is it all talk from the “developed” nations? Is there any real hope for meaningful promises from the historically biggest polluters to

The leaders of Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa plan to discuss food security and farming with other G8 countries, basically to tell them to make up for all of the pollution over the last decade plus.

Fair enough, right? Is there any way for the situation to ever be square? Russia is claiming that it can’t be held to the standards of “developed” nations in the new climate change emissions standards, and now the other developed nations are balking on promises of how to make good on the damages of decades of pollution. And is it even possible? To donate some money and pay off the destruction of climate change?

Doubtful. And even if there are earnest gestures of true attempt- will they do any good? Worse yet, though, than failed attempts, would be pre-emptive pull-out by the countries with the money. What good can all of the promises and money be if they are just talk?

The plan is to donate 15 Billion toward a three year agricultural investment in poorer countries. It is expected that the U.S.,  Japan and the EU are expected to put up approximately $3 billion each.

Why money for agricultural development? Ask the U.S., who is purportedly responsible for leading the conversation away from emergency assistance and toward long-term strategy. Basically, the U.S. wants to stop the international welfare program by putting up some cash up-front, hopefully appeasing people before we really know the extent of the damage. Proactive. Pre-emptive economics. Nice.

"The key message for us is to ask the G8 to live up to their commitments," said Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Reuters.

That is quite a request, whatever those commitments are- but nothing short of what is due.