Thousands of delegates are gathering in the Thai capital, Bangkok, for the biggest international meeting on trade and development in ten years.

The secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Rubens Ricupero, says it will provide an opportunity for a healing process after Seattle -- a reference to the recent World Trade Organisation meeting where violent protests broke out against growing inequalities in the global economy.

Mr Ricupero said the UN conference would discuss ways of using trade as a tool for development and would provide a voice for everyone.

A forum of non-governmental organisations and activist groups gets under way on Monday. The Thai authorities have launched a massive security operation but will also provide approved protest areas.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service