Delegates meeting on Saturday in tiny, oil-rich Brunei for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum pledged to focus on preparing people for the new global economy.

APEC officials, meeting for two days of trade talks on Thursday and Friday, considered ways to encourage ``human resource development,'' said Lim Jock Seng, a government official from Brunei.

Officials recognized the need for developing high-tech skills among people in developing countries, noting that computer training was particularly important.