ISLAMABAD, July 11: Pakistan's top career diplomat, Mr Munir Akram, currently the country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, is being tipped as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) , it is reliably learnt.

The UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, who is expected to make the appointment this fall, has held consultations with key countries on the nomination of Mr Akram for the post, sources said.

It is believed that Mr Akram's candidature for the high-profile UN slot has full support of President Gen Pervez Musharraf. The UNCTAD is the focal point within the UN for dealing with development-related issues in the areas of trade, finance, technology, investment and sustainable development.

To ensure the integration of all countries in global trade on an equitable basis, it assists developing countries to promote inward investment and improve their investment climate.

Mr Munir Akram has vast experience in the multilateral domain and has represented Pakistan in key UN missions in Geneva and Brussels. He has led developing countries' efforts on several trade-related issues. In diplomatic circles he is seen as a "multilatera list par excellence" and in Pakistan he is rated as one of best diplomats.