Following up on an agreement reached on the contentious topic of internet governance at the November World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has decided to start creating a forum for a more inclusive dialogue on internet policy.

The United Nations-backed panel studying Internet-related issues ranging from how to deal with spam – unsolicited or "junk" e-mail – to strengthening network security and fighting cyber-crime will submit its report to Secretary-General Kofi Annan by early July in preparation for a world summit on information later this year.

Issues relating to spam, network security and cyber crime, as well as the roles and responsibilities of all actors involved in Internet governance, and measuring the adequacy of existing arrangements are on the agenda of the third meeting of the United Nations-backed panel meeting in Geneva to examine Internet-related issues.

More than 250 experts wrapped up two days of talks in Geneva today on the creation of a United Nations working group which could deal with spam, cyber-crime and other Internet-related problems.