Kofi Annan to open Women's World Cup

UNITED NATIONS, June 16 (Reuters) - On Saturday Annan will officially open the FIFA Women's World Cup immediately prior to the first game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Soccer's world governing body, FIFA, will fly the United Nations flag at all World Cup games, beginning with the Women's World Cup series opening on Saturday in New Jersey, as part of a campaign to promote U.N. activities, the United Nations said on Wednesday. It said a formal announcement would be made at a news conference on the grounds of U.N. headquarters on Friday by Secretary-General Kofi Annan and FIFA President Joseph Blatter.

Also to be announced is a series of planned joint activities between the United Nations and FIFA to publicise U.N. activities throughout the world. The programme will promote the themes of tolerance, health, development, hope and social integration, the United Nations said.