Global economic growth remains robust and is becoming more balanced across regions, finance ministers from the Group of Eight major industrial nations said on Saturday.

"Risks for the outlook have abated, but high and volatile energy prices remain a concern and we will remain vigilant," said the G8 ministers in a communique issued at the end of their two-day meeting in preparation for the G8 summit early next month.

The G8 nations also pledged to "continue to pursue sound policies to foster sustained and balanced growth and support the orderly adjustment of global imbalances."