'This does not change the world tomorrow, it is a beginning, not an end'

"We speak today in the shadow of terrorism, but it will not obscure what we came here to achieve. The purpose of terrorism is not only to kill and maim the innocent, it is to put despair, and anger, and hatred in people's hearts.

It is by its savagery designed to cover all conventional politics in darkness, to overwhelm the dignity of democracy and proper process with the impact of bloodshed and of terror.

There is no hope in terrorism, nor any future in it worth living, and it is hope that is the alternative to this hatred. So we offer today this contrast with the politics of terror.

Yesterday evening, the G8 agreed a substantial package of help for the Palestinian Authority, amounting to up to three billion in the years to come, so that two states - Israel and Palestine - two peoples, and two religions, can live side by side in peace.

We came here also to acknowledge our duty to be responsible stewards of the global environment.

We do not hide the disagreements of the past, but we have agreed a process with a plan of action that will initiate a new dialogue between the G8 countries and the emerging economies of the world, to slow down and then in time to reverse the rise in harmful greenhouse gas emissions. And this dialogue will begin on November 1 with a meeting here in Britain.

And above all today we say, in the presence of African leaders, we come here in solidarity with the continent of Africa. We have come here to announce a plan of action, in partnership with Africa. It isn't the end of poverty in Africa, but it is the hope that it can be ended. It isn't all everyone wanted, but it is progress, real and achievable progress, it is the definitive expression of our collective will to act in the face of death, and disease, and conflict that is preventable.

The $50bn uplift in aid, the signal for a new deal on trade, the cancellation of the debts of the poorest nations, universal access to Aids treatment, the commitment to a new peace-keeping force for Africa, the commitment in return by Africa's leaders to democracy, and good governance, and the rule of law.

All of this does not change the world tomorrow, it is a beginning, not an end, and none of it today will match the same ghastly impact as the cruelty of terror.

But it has a pride, and a hope, and a humanity at its heart that can lift the shadow of terrorism and light the way to a better future.

And that is why in the end the politics that we represent, not just us as leaders here at this G8, but the millions of people outside of this summit who believe in progress through democracy and decent collaboration between civilised human beings, that is why in the end we are convinced the politics that we represent will win and will triumph over terrorism.".

Main points of the final G8 communique

Terrorism

* The world leaders condemned 'the barbaric attacks on London' and pledged 'the terrorists have not and will not succeed'.

* Resolved to intensify work on counterterrorism.

Climate Change

* Agreed that 'climate change is happening now, that human activity is contributing to it and that it could affect every part of the globe'.

* Globally, 'emissions must slow, peak and then decline moving us towards a low carbon economy'.

* Resolved 'to take urgent action to meet the challenges we face' and 'take measures to develop markets for clean energy technologies, to increase their availability in developing countries and to help vulnerable communities adapt to the impact of climate change'.

* The discussions marked 'the beginning of a new dialogue between the G8 nations and other countries with significant energy needs'.

Africa and

development

* Agreed to provide extra resources for Africa's peacekeeping forces so that they can better deter, prevent and resolve conflicts in Africa.

* Give enhanced support for greater democracy, effective governance and transparency and to help fight corruption and return stolen assets.

* Agreed to boost investment in health and education, and to take action to combat HIV/Aids, malaria and TB 'and other killer diseases'.

* Agreed to stimulate growth and to make trade work for Africa.

* Agreed to double aid for Africa by 2010. Aid for all developing countries will increase by $50bn per year by 2010 with at least $25bin extra per year for Africa.

* Agreed that all of the debts owed by eligible heavily indebted poor countries to international finance institutions should be cancelled.

Global economy, oil and trade

* Global economic growth expected to remain robust.

Reaffirmed a commitment 'to open markets more widely to trade in agricultural goods, industrial goods and services, and, in agriculture, to reduce trade-distorting domestic subsidies and eliminate all forms of export subsidies by a credible end date'.

OTHER ISSUES

* Agreed to explore how best to support proposals laying the foundations for the viability of a future Palestinian state.

* Underlined support for UN work on the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.

* Reaffirmed 'that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, together with international terrorism, remain the pre-eminent threats to international peace and security'.

* Expressed 'particular concern about the threat of proliferation in North Korea and Iran'.

* On Zimbabwe, the leaders 'deplored recent events' and called on the Government to 'respect human rights'.