The United Nations will continue to focus on the issue of development in the years ahead after its efforts over past years to make the issue a central work of the world body.

Annan made the statement at ceremonial meeting to mark the formal turnover of the chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G-77) from Guyana to Nigeria.

"Development -- and especially international cooperation for development -- continues to occupy a central place in our work," he said. "In the year to come, as in the year or two that have just passed, much of that work will no doubt focus on the impact and implications of globalization."

First, the 10th session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD X), to be held just four weeks from now, offers a major opportunity to strengthen and advance the position of developing countries in the area of trade, Annan said. "After the imbroglio in Seattle, it is vital that we pick up the pieces and explore ways of making trade work better for the poor."

Secondly, the General Assembly will be discussing the organizational and substantive details of the international event on financing for development, which it has agreed to hold in 2001,Annan said.

"The UN and the Bretton Woods Institutions attach great importance to this process, but only with the help of a united G-77 can we hope for a successful outcome," he said.

Thirdly, this year's high-level segment of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) will address the issue of information technology and its role as the backbone of today's knowledge-based economy, he said.

"Beyond these three areas, the year will also feature vital follow-up meetings to the Beijing and Copenhagen conferences," he said. "And all of this activity will culminate, in the Autumn, with the Millennium Assembly and Millennium Summit," which will be convened in September this year. (Xinhua)