Sherpa (G8)
Encyclopedia
A sherpa is the personal representative
of a head of state
of government who prepares an international summit, particularly the annual G8 Summit. Between the G8 summits there are multiple sherpa conferences where possible agreements are laid out. This reduces the amount of time and resources required at the negotiations of the heads of state at the final summit. The name sherpa—without further context—refers to sherpas for the G8 summit but the designation can be spread for different regular conferences where the participation of the respective head of state is required. The sherpa is generally quite influential, although they generally lack the authority to independently make the final decision about any given agreement.
The name is derived from the Sherpa people who serve as guides and porters in the Himalaya Mountains, a metaphor indicating that the sherpa clears the way for a head of state at a major summit. The name was originally of informal usage in between the states of the European Union
where personal representatives prepare work for the Intergovernmental Conference
(IGC) meetings. While the position of a chief negotiator can be traced back under varying names to the first days of the European Union
process the name has caught on as an official reference just lately on the designation of a high profile group on competition regulation in the European chemistry that names officially a "Sherpa-Subgroup". (European Union, L 156/34, 16. June 2007, Articles 4, 5 and 6) (also earlier in L 36/43, 23. December 2005, Articles 3 and 4).
Apart from conferences of the sherpas of the head of state there are additional conferences held in specific domains that are routinely attended by other state secretaries in the government - most of the G8 countries have national sherpa teams in the field of foreign affairs (Foreign Affairs Sous-Sherpa) and finance (Finance Sous-Sherpa).
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
of a head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
of government who prepares an international summit, particularly the annual G8 Summit. Between the G8 summits there are multiple sherpa conferences where possible agreements are laid out. This reduces the amount of time and resources required at the negotiations of the heads of state at the final summit. The name sherpa—without further context—refers to sherpas for the G8 summit but the designation can be spread for different regular conferences where the participation of the respective head of state is required. The sherpa is generally quite influential, although they generally lack the authority to independently make the final decision about any given agreement.
The name is derived from the Sherpa people who serve as guides and porters in the Himalaya Mountains, a metaphor indicating that the sherpa clears the way for a head of state at a major summit. The name was originally of informal usage in between the states of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
where personal representatives prepare work for the Intergovernmental Conference
Intergovernmental Conference
An Intergovernmental Conference is the formal procedure for negotiating amendments to the founding treaties of the European Union. Under the treaties, an IGC is called into being by the European Council, and is composed of representatives of the member states, with the Commission, and to a lesser...
(IGC) meetings. While the position of a chief negotiator can be traced back under varying names to the first days of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
process the name has caught on as an official reference just lately on the designation of a high profile group on competition regulation in the European chemistry that names officially a "Sherpa-Subgroup". (European Union, L 156/34, 16. June 2007, Articles 4, 5 and 6) (also earlier in L 36/43, 23. December 2005, Articles 3 and 4).
Examples
- In France Jean-David LevitteJean-David LevitteJean-David Levitte is a French diplomat, formerly the French ambassador to the United States, and currently diplomatic advisor and sherpa to President Nicolas Sarkozy. He has also been named head of the future National Security Council....
is sherpa for the G8. Earlier French sherpas include Jacques AttaliJacques AttaliJacques Attali is a French economist, writer and senior civil servant.Former adviser to President François Mitterrand and first president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, he founded the non-profit organization PlaNet Finance and was nominated President of the Commission for...
, Anne LauvergeonAnne LauvergeonAnne Lauvergeon , is a French businesswoman, and CEO of Areva 2001 – 2011 .-Biography:In 1978 she attended the École Normale Supérieure to pass the Agrégation in physics. Then she entered the Corps des Mines. In 1983 she enrolled in her first vocational course with the Corps de Mines, in the iron...
, Jean-Marc de La SablièreJean-Marc de La SablièreJean-Marc de La Sablière has been the Ambassador of France in Italy since 7 September 2007. Prior to this, he was the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations from 2002 to 2007....
, Maurice Gourdault-MontagneMaurice Gourdault-MontagneMaurice Gourdault-Montagne is a career diplomat and the current French Ambassador to Germany.-Career:Mr Gourdault-Montagne joined the French Foreign Ministry in 1978...
; Pascal LamyPascal LamyPascal Lamy is the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, a French political advisor, a businessman, and a former European Commissioner for Trade...
was a sherpa on the European Commission (representing Jacques DelorsJacques DelorsJacques Lucien Jean Delors is a French economist and politician, the eighth President of the European Commission and the first person to serve three terms in that office .-French Politics:...
). - In Germany the canonic name of Chefunterhändler (chief negotiator) is a common second title to another high profile position. The Bernd Pfaffenbach did hold this position since 2004 being also secretary of stateSecretary of StateSecretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
in the Ministry of EconomicsFederal Ministry for Economics and Labour (Germany)The Federal Ministry for Economics and Labour was a Ministry of German Federal Government between 2002 and 2005...
(since 2005). The title was held before by Horst KöhlerHorst KöhlerHorst Köhler is a German politician of the Christian Democratic Union. He was President of Germany from 2004 to 2010. As the candidate of the two Christian Democratic sister parties, the CDU and the CSU, and the liberal FDP, Köhler was elected to his first five-year term by the Federal Assembly on...
(former President of GermanyPresident of GermanyThe President of the Federal Republic of Germany is the country's head of state. His official title in German is Bundespräsident . Germany has a parliamentary system of government and so the position of President is largely ceremonial...
) and Hans TietmeyerHans TietmeyerHans Tietmeyer is a German economist and regarded as one of the foremost experts on international financial matters. He was president of Deutsche Bundesbank from 1993 until 1999 and remains one of the most important figures in finance of the European Union....
(became later the President of the Deutsche BundesbankDeutsche BundesbankThe Deutsche Bundesbank is the central bank of the Federal Republic of Germany and as such part of the European System of Central Banks . Due to its strength and former size, the Bundesbank is the most influential member of the ESCB. Both the Deutsche Bundesbank and the European Central Bank are...
). Since December 2009 the position of G8-Sherpa is held by Jens WeidmannJens WeidmannJens Weidmann is a German economist and president of the Deutsche Bundesbank. Before assuming the top Bundesbank position in 2011, from February 2006, he served as Head of Division IV in the Federal Chancellery...
who has been sherpa to the G20G-20 major economiesThe Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors is a group of finance ministers and central bank governors from 20 major economies: 19 countries plus the European Union, which is represented by the President of the European Council and by the European Central Bank...
summits before.
Sherpa Pre-Summit
During the preliminary preparatory process which takes place in advance of a G8 summit, the leader of a G8 host nation conventionally invites representatives from the other G8 participants to send representatives known as "sherpas" to develop the agenda topics and other matters. They often produce communiques which show the current state of negotiations.Apart from conferences of the sherpas of the head of state there are additional conferences held in specific domains that are routinely attended by other state secretaries in the government - most of the G8 countries have national sherpa teams in the field of foreign affairs (Foreign Affairs Sous-Sherpa) and finance (Finance Sous-Sherpa).
Links
- Sherpa's Blog- Official site on the pre-summits leading up to the G8 summit of 2010 in Canada.