Climate change and the U.S. extending its missile defence shield to Europe have grabbed most of the headlines, but here are some of the other issues G8 leaders will be considering at their summit in Heiligendamm, Germany.

As host, German Chancellor Angela Merkel presides over the summit, which ends Friday, and is influential in setting the agenda. However, she cannot guarantee an outcome.

Aid to Africa

At the 2005 G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, pledges were made to double development aid for Africa by 2010.

Germany wants leaders to reaffirm those pledges. Some aid groups are claiming that some G8 nations haven't been meeting those pledges.

Anti-poverty activist Bob Geldof accused Canada of blocking progress on African aid and that it was more than $600 million below the commitment it made.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the claim false.

Harper refused a meeting request from U2 frontman and activist Bono, but said he would be happy to speak with him after the summit.

There is some question as to whether the G8 will agree to more money for the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Germany may also propose money for a micro-credit fund as a way to fight poverty.

Leaders from Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa will be at the summit, plus the president of the African Union, who is from Ghana.

Trade

Germany wants a "strong signal" sent about getting the Doha round of world trade talks back on track.

The talks occur under the umbrella of the World Trade Organization and began in 2001 in Doha, Qatar.

They have been stalled since last year, with a divide between developed and developing nations.

Germany will hold a meeting of trade ministers later this month to try and push the trade issue forward.

Iran

The G8 leaders will be asked to call on Iran to halt uranium enrichment as per the resolution of the UN Security Council.

They are expected to support "further appropriate measures" -- i.e., sanctions -- if Iran continues its enrichment work.

Darfur

A commitment to further humanitarian aid in the conflict-wracked region of western Sudan is expected, along with a call to urge the government of Sudan to accept joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping force there.

"This is a desperate situation. We want the G8 to lead by example and push for a political settlement in Darfur. We also need more money. Aid funds are running low," Geoffrey Dennis, head of CARE International, told Reuters on Wednesday.

"We also want the G8 to recognize that climate change -- which is causing some of the water scarcity problems and making matters even worse for the refugees -- is becoming a security issue," he added. "Waterholes are drying up."

Kosovo

Europe and the United States support giving the Serbian province of Kosovo effective independence.

Russia is strongly opposed to the notion. Serbia itself would accept sovereignty but not independence.

Kosovo, an Albanian and Muslim-dominated province, has been under UN administration since 1999.

NATO became involved in Kosovo that year to stop Serbian atrocities carried out in response to a guerrilla campaign by the Kosovo Liberation Army. NATO troops still provide security in Kosovo.

Middle East

A declaration is expected to call on the Palestinian authorities to end "terrorist violence" such as rocket attacks on Israeli communities while urging restraint in Israel's responses.

They are likely to express commitment to a negotiated settlement, but no specific recommendations on ending one of the world's most complex, protracted conflicts are expected.

There may be some talk of resuming aid to the Palestinian government.

The U.S. may ask for more help in Iraq and Afghanistan, but isn't expected to get an enthusiastic response.

Emerging powers

The five major emerging nations are China, India, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Mexico.

Leaders of those nations have been invited to the summit.

Germany wants them to engage in dialogue with the G8 without necessarily having the G8 expanded to include them as full members.

German officials have proposed the co-ordination process could work through the Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Hedge funds

Hedge funds are investment funds designed for institutions and high-net-worth investors.

They often take large stakes in major companies or even a country's currency.

However, in the U.S., because they are only for accredited investors, they are outside the regulatory bounds of agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Germany fears hedge funds have the power to destabilize the financial system and wants their transparency boosted.

Ideally, Germany would like to see them regulated, but the United States and Britain oppose the notion.

Currencies

Germany has said the G8 doesn't plan to issue a statement on foreign exchange rates.

However, France and Germany are concerned about the euro's strength. China and the United States have sniped at each other over the yuan.

The U.S. has a huge trade deficit with China and wants the yuan to appreciate in value to shrink it.