Mr. Annan, at the start of a trip that will also take him to five Asian countries, was this afternoon holding a town hall meeting with UN staff in Vienna, where some 4,000 people work for the world organization.

In the evening, he was to attend a dinner for summit participants, hosted by Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel.

During his trip, lasting more than two weeks, Mr. Annan will visit the Republic of Korea, Japan, China, Viet Nam and Thailand, meeting with top government officials as well as with students from leading universities and other groups.

In Bangkok, where he will have an audience with the Thai King, he will address a High-Level Panel on Human Development.