As of November 5, 2006, 81 countries and 11 international organizations had accepted an invitation from the Chinese Government to attend the Shanghai World Expo in 2010.

Of the countries that have agreed to attend, 29 are from Africa, six are from the Americas, 18 are from Europe, 21 are from Asia and 7 are from Oceania.

The United Nations, the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have also confirmed that they will participate in the expo which is scheduled to run from May 1 to October 31, 2010.

Angel Gurria, chief of the OECD, said the theme of the Shanghai World Expo, "Better City Better Life" mirrors that of the OECD. The OECD hopes all the world's mayors will be present at the expo, to share experiences of city development and management so as to meet the challenges of global urbanization.

China hopes to attract more than 200 countries and international organizations to the expo.

By People's Daily Online