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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, July 10, 2015 | 16 G7 discussed marine, health, political and unemployment issues continued from p.11 inefficient fossil fuel subsidies," said Kokotsis. The G7 Climate Risk Insurance Initiative was created to examine insurance coverage solutions for 400 million people and assets in the "most vulnerable areas of the world" affected by negative impacts of climate change, Kokotsis told the Beaver. The shift in Earth's climate wasn't the only environmental-related conversation -- marine litter was discussed for the first time, she said, as leaders focused on preventing, reducing and eliminating aquatic waste, particularly when it comes to protecting ecosystems. "They stressed the voluntary phase-out of microbeads as a way of supporting the marine environment. They agreed to an exchange platform for the removal of litter on beaches, riverbanks, the seafloor, ports and inland waterways," said Kokotsis. The G7 endorsed creating a "harmonized global marine litter monitoring effort," Kokotsis said, and committed to precautionary approaches in deep-sea mining activities and conducting environmental impact assessments on related projects. The 2015 Elmau Accountability Report focuses on biodiversity, but also addresses global health issues, water security, infectious diseases and climate change. The summit's other "biggest accomplishment" dealt with the UkraineRussia situation, Kokotsis said, as G7 declared its intent to increase sanctions against Russia should the need arise. Russia was once again excluded from the summit as a result of its illegal referendum and annexation of Crimea last year. "They reiterated their condemnation of the illegal annexation of Ukraine by Russia and highlighted the importance of territorial integrity, sovereignty and the rule of law," said Kokotsis. Russian sanctions are linked to its actions in Ukraine and the G7 are prepared to add more "restrictive measures" to increase the cost on Russia, the director of accountability said. G7 ambassadors in Kiev were asked to establish a Ukraine support group to provide assistance to its economic reform process. Interlocking & Concrete Specialists · Pebble Concrete · Stamped Concrete · Interlocking · Flagstone · Walkways · Garage Floors · Patios · Driveways · Curbs (French) Call Mario 905.842.7171 sunmarlandscape.com "They called on all sides to respect and implement the Minsk peace agreement/ ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons," said Kokotsis. "The G7 is supporting Ukraine's structural reform policies and will continue to provide financial and technical support." Other topics discussed included the U.S.Iran nuclear program negotiations, antibiotics and the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa. With regards to the latter, summit leaders agreed to offer assistance to 60 countries, including West African nations, over the next five years in the fight against Ebola, according to Kokotsis. Germany offered to compose a comprehensive proposal for effective crisis management in health that will focus on timely mobilization and appropriate response capacities for major health outbreaks, she said. The leaders consented to strengthen mechanisms that would allow for a quick deployment of response teams and experts for future epidemics, she said. On the theme of global markets, the group acknowledged its members' unemployment levels are "still too high," Kokotsis said, and would like to see the promotion of worldwide growth through innovation, protection of intellectual property rights, and support for small- and medium-sized enterprises, quality infrastructure investment and structural reforms. LEISURE CENTRE bOOK SuMMER YOuR POOL INStALLS StILL OPENING AvAILAbLE! tODAY! BACK YARD SPECIALISTS AWESOME LINER PROFESSIONALS! 5430 HARVESTER RD., BURLINGTON 905-631-0837 · 905-389-6610 www.foxpoolandspalc.ca · www.lazboyspas.com Authorized Dealer of lazboyspas.com