G8 or the Group of Eight is an international forum for dealing with global issues. The organisation has loose structure. The Presidency of the organization plays major roles. Its history began with the meeting of Heads of State and Government of the leading industrial nations for the first time in Rambouillet, France in 1975 to discuss developments in the global economy. At that time the world's six or seven largest economic powers were represented. This was the founding moment of the world economic summit. Today, G8 summits are still the climax of the annual presidency of each state. The range of issues under discussion now covers the whole spectrum of global politics. Foreign and security policy and development issues are discussed in addition to economic matters. This forum has launched a large number of global initiatives, including the campaign against world poverty. The G8 members are Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, the United States, Canada (since 1976) and Russia (since 1998). The European Commission is also represented at all the meetings. The G8 is yet an informal forum of Heads of State and Government without an international organisation and own administrative structure with a permanent secretariat or office for its individual members. Following on from 1978, 1985, 1992 and 1999 Germany has once again assumed the Presidency in 2007. The 2007 G8 Summit was held in the Baltic resort of Heiligendamm.