Women leaders from all around the world are converging on Seoul for the Global Summit of Women 2004.

The international meeting, dubbed "the Davos for Women," has brought together some 860 women ministers, government officials, entrepreneurs and NGO staff from 85 countries.

Under the theme, "Leadership, Technology and Growth," the three-day meeting will open on Thursday and will focus on seeking ways to increase women's economic power and close the gender equality gap.

In particular, a Women Exposition will be held for the first time on the sidelines of the international conference, where business firms and products related to women will be introduced.

The conference was organized by GlobeWomen.com, a U.S. nonprofit association formed to improve women's leadership and networking. The annual forum was first held in Montreal in 1990.