UNITED NATIONS, March 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The United Nations made public a shortlist of six candidates to head the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said Tuesday at noon briefing.

    According to the spokesman, the six named were chosen for their diplomatic, management and resource mobilization skills and their knowledge of development issues.

    The nominees include Kaoru Ishikawa of Japan, originator of the Ishikawa quality control circle for business analysis, former Director-General of Japanese Economic Affairs Bureau and Foreign Affairs official for the Group of Eight most industrialized countries; Fawaz al-Sultan of Kuwait, a former President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development; and Ad Melkert ofthe Netherlands, formerly Minister of Social Affairs and Dutch Executive Director at the World Bank.

    Also listed are Norwegian Minister for Internal Development Hilde F. Johnson, former World Bank Vice President Kemal Derwis ofTurkey and Baroness Valerie Amos, leader of British House of Lordsand former Secretary of State for the Department for InternationalDevelopment.

    One of them will succeed Mark Malloch Brown, who became Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Chief of Staff on Jan. 19 while temporarily retaining the Administrator position of UNDP, which ismandated to give countries needed information, experience and resources for development, as well as chair the UN Development Group, which coordinates the operational UN agencies in individualMember States.

    After the six undergo panel interviews, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and his Deputy, Louise Frchette, will conduct interviews with the finalists.

    Annan will consult UNDP's Executive Board on his choice before sending the name to the General Assembly, the spokesman said. Enditem