Leaders from the world's major industrialised nations meet in the Baltic resort of Heiligendamm on Wednesday for a Group of Eight (G8) summit.

Below are some of the key issues surrounding the meeting, which is being hosted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel:

Climate Change

Germany has been pressing G8 partners for months to commit to fixed, quantifiable targets for reducing the greenhouse gases blamed for swelling sea levels and climate swings, but that drive is likely to fail because of strong resistance from the United States.

The summit could still make headway on global warming if leaders agree to work together to forge a multilateral accord on curbing emissions beyond 2012, when the first period of the Kyoto Protocol expires.

Africa

Germany wants leaders to reaffirm pledges made at the Gleneagles summit in 2005 to double development aid by 2010 amid claims from aid organisations that some G8 nations are lagging far behind on their commitments. It was unclear whether all G8 countries would agree to commit more funds to fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa.

As part of an outreach programme, leaders from Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa will attend, as will African Union president Ghana.

Trade

German officials have said they want the summit to send a "strong signal" about the G8's desire to see the stalled Doha round of world trade talks to a successful conclusion.

Foreign Policy

IRAN - G8 leaders are likely to call on Iran to fulfil its UN Security Council obligations, in particular to halt all activities connected to uranium enrichment.

They should agree to support "further appropriate measures" -- code for sanctions -- if Iran continues to ignore UN Security Council demands on its nuclear work. Iran says it is pursuing the work for peaceful purposes but the West suspects it of trying to create nuclear weapons.

SUDAN - G8 leaders are expected to express a commitment to humanitarian aid in Darfur and urge the Sudanese government to accept an African Union-United Nations force there.

KOSOVO - G8 leaders are likely to acknowledge differences on how to proceed with the Serbian province of Kosovo. Russia opposes efforts by the United States and Europe to offer Kosovo effective independence.

MIDDLE EAST - G8 leaders are likely to voice commitment to a negotiated, comprehensive, long-term settlement between Israel and the Palestinians. They look set to call on Palestinian authorities to end "terrorist violence" and rocket attacks on Israeli territory and urge restraint in Israel's responses.

Russia

Tensions between Russia on the one hand and the European Union and United States on the other are high. Germany hopes differences over US plans to install parts of a missile shield in Europe and over the fate of Kosovo, among other issues, will not overshadow the summit.

Emerging Powers

Germany wants to bind emerging powers to a dialogue with the G8 on global economic issues and offer an alternative solution to calls that the G8 be expanded to include these rising states. German officials want to set up a coordination process under the auspices of the Paris-based OECD. Leaders from Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa have been invited to the summit.

Hedge Funds

Germany unlikely to get agreement for voluntary code of conduct for the hedge fund industry in face of strong opposition from United States and Britain. But Germany wants leaders to discuss boosting transparency to minimise risks to the financial system.

Currencies

Germany is keen to limit discussion of currencies such as the euro and Chinese yuan and has said the G8 does not plan to issue a statement on foreign exchange. France and Italy had signalled they wanted to discuss concerns about the strength of the euro. China is under pressure from the United States in particular to allow its currency to appreciate at a faster pace to help ease trade imbalances.