The African Union (AU) will organize a forum on the development of mega-cities during its participation in the Shanghai Expo scheduled from May 1 to Oct. 31 this year, a senior AU official said Thursday.

Under the theme of the Shanghai Expo "Better City, Better Life, " the forum will gather mayors from Africa's mega-cities and their counterparts from around the world to exchange views on the evolution and challenges of mega-cities, Elizabeth Tankeu, AU Commissioner on Trade and Industry, told a conference at the sidelines of the 16th session of the AU executive council.

The forum is expected to provide an opportunity for African cities to draw on the development experience of the world's other big cities, according to Tankeu.

The utilization of new energy in mega-cities will also be on the agenda of the forum, she said.

The AU Executive council kicked off its 16th session Thursday to discuss crucial issues and challenges facing the continent and make preparations for the upcoming AU summit scheduled from January 31 to February 2.

The session gathered AU foreign ministers to share views on a wide range of political, economic, social and cultural issues including regional integration, information and communication technologies and Africa's response to climate change and regional conflicts, among other issues of major concern.

(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2010)