Foreign ministers from the G8 are holding talks in London on Thursday with tensions on Korea high on the agenda, as well as discussions about the ongoing crisis in Syria..
William Hague is hosting counterparts from the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia.
The discussions are laying the foundations for the full G8 summit due to take place in Northern Ireland in June.
The meeting comes amid fears that tensions between North Korea and South Korea could lead to a violent confrontation.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is also expected to come under pressure over Moscow's support for Bashar Assad's regime in Syria.
Other topics covered are likely to include Iran's nuclear ambitions. Mr Hague is due to hold a press conference when the session concludes this afternoon.