The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has announced that the next Lambeth Conference is to be held in Canterbury in the summer of 2008.

Archbishop Williams said: "New times require a new kind of Lambeth Conference and I am grateful to Archbishop Ellison and the Design Group for the innovative work that they have done. I have great hopes that the Lambeth Conference in 2008 will equip and empower the leadership of our church for participation in the Mission of God in the world."

The choice of venue and date for the next conference follows a meeting between Archbishop Williams and the Lambeth Conference Design Group and international panel of advisers which is chaired by the Most Revd Sir Ellison Pogo, Archbishop of Melanesia. The group reported on its examination of options both for the conference and possible associated events, including a review of financial and logistical considerations. The Design Group recommended Canterbury as the conference venue for 2008.

Archbishop Ellison said that the group had tackled their work with enthusiasm: "The design group is tremendously excited about the new vision for the Lambeth Conference put forward by the Archbishop of Canterbury. We look forward to working with him to help the bishops of the Anglican Communion be better equipped to fulfil God's mission."