Annan to open UN trade and development meeting during visit to Brazil

Secretary-General Kofi Annan heads to the Brazilian city of São Paulo on Saturday for a four-day trip highlighted by his attendance at the 11th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Mr. Annan will spend three days at the UNCTAD summit, formally opening the conference and then participating in forums and discussions about the role of civil society, innovative sources of financing and the economic progress of the world’s least developed countries.

He is also expected to conduct bilateral talks with many national leaders, including Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and President Carlos Mesa of Bolivia.

The theme of this session of UNCTAD, which is trying to revive momentum in the debate on international trade, finance and development, is: “Enhancing coherence between national development strategies and global economic processes towards economic growth and development.”

During his trip, the Secretary-General will also address a special ministerial meeting marking the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Group of 77 alliance of developing countries.