For these reasons I am delighted that the Future of the Internet Economy will be the subject of the first OECD ministerial meeting ever to be hosted in Asia. Taking place in Seoul, Korea, in June, the meeting will examine the implications of the rapid growth in use and reliance on the Internet for our economies and societies as well as discuss the policies and practices needed to guide the future of the Internet economy.The Seoul ministerial meeting is ideally placed to build the international co-operation needed to take advantage of the opportunities enabled by the Internet economy. Ministers from OECD as well as many non-member countries, together with all other stakeholders, will strive to articulate a collective vision of a desirable future economy and society supported by the Internet.Realising this vision will, more than ever, require action by all stakeholders and increasing cross-border co-operation, which is at the heart of the OECD’s mission.• See www.oecd.org/secretarygeneral and www.oecdobserver.org/angelgurria ©OECD Observer No 268 June 2008