ANKARA, June 20: Leaders from the world's least developed countries will meet in Istanbul next month to discuss ways of integrating with the global economy and improving the welfare of their people, a Turkish official said on Wednesday.

The conference, organized by several UN agencies among them the UN Development Programme, is expected to take place in the first half of July, possible on July 9-10, the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

The meeting will focus on determining the needs of the poorest nations and exploring ways to increase their contribution to the global economy.

“Turkey is hosting the meeting as part of its vision to foster closer ties with African countries,” the Turkish source said.

Ankara will seek the support of the attending countries to its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in the 2009-2010 period, the source said.

According to UN-set criteria, 50 countries qualify as the world's least developed nations, compared to 25 in 1971.—AFP