G8 Deputy Presidents

Sherpa (Emissary)

A sherpa is the personal representative of state or 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, a Nepalese ethnic group, who serve as guides and porters in the Himalayas, a reference to the fact 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".

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).^[8]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherpa_(G8)

 
Sous-Sherpa

The term Sous-Sherpa translates [from the French] as “under Sherpa.” Sherpas are the Nepalese porters that help climbers in the Himalayas. Experts say when used in the context of the G8 summit the term “Sous-Sherpa” most likely refers to the hefty work load these senior officials undertake in preparation for the summit.

In the United States, the Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs (E) traditionally serves as the G8 Foreign Affairs Sous-Sherpa (FASS). Currently Josette Sheeran holds this position. In this role the Under Secretary assists the U.S. Sherpa, Deputy National Security Advisor David McCormick, who is the principal U.S. official charged with preparing the yearly Summit. FASSs from the eight countries and the European Commission meet approximately four or five times each year. G8 Sherpas have a similar schedule. The FASS role necessarily involves following up both within the U.S. government and with our G8 partners on previous years’ commitments to ensure appropriate action is being taken.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sous-Sherpa