The world's first global internet summit has been cancelled because of lack of interest. The three day World Internet Forum, due to begin today in London, was unable to attract enough people willing to turn up in person.

Speakers from governments and businesses around the world have been told they are no longer needed.

Among them were Chris Smith, the culture secretary, and Patricia Hewitt, the minister for e-commerce.

The conference, at the Hilton Metropole hotel in central London, was to have become an annual event, but organisers are now reconsidering.

Robert Blaney, chief executive officer of the forum, said: "It would be both unfair and unsatisfactory to both sponsors and speakers to continue with an audience that is anything other than of the highest quality and sufficient numbers. In the absence of this audience, we regretfully have no alternative but to cancel the forum in London.

"While this decision is very late we have given as much time as possible and applied every effort to rectify the position, but sadly to no avail."

Future summits are expected to go ahead, with representatives from global corporations and ministers from as far afield as Norway and Bermuda discussing the role of government in the internet, the future of online business and its implications for society.