The 3rd Asia-Pacific region urban informatization forum, with the focus on bridging digital divide, will be held from June 13 to 14 in Shanghai, the organization committee for the forum announced in Shanghai on Tuesday.

According to the committee, this year's forum will discuss issues of common concern to all countries in this region, including policies, strategies and priorities for the development of electronic government, the operation of electronic government and safety in this field.

More than 800 delegates from 90 cities in Asia, Europe, America and Africa and nearly 20 international organizations will attend the forum, including the former US Vice President Al Gore and other dignitaries.

The previous two sessions of the forum were also held in Shanghai, China's leading economic center. The sponsors, which include the United Nations Development Program and China's Ministry of Science and Technology, have decided to hold the forum annually in Shanghai.

(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2002)