The 'Doha Development Round' is a significant series of negotiations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) aimed at achieving major reform of the international trading system through the introduction of lower trade barriers and revised trade rules. The topic is rooted in the context of Current Affairs, specifically international trade agreements.

The Doha Development Round was officially launched at the WTO Ministerial Conference held in Doha, Qatar, in 2001. This round of negotiations is sometimes referred to simply as the Doha Round or the Doha Development Agenda (DDA).

1. Background: Previous rounds of global trade negotiations took place under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The most notable was the Uruguay Round, which led to the creation of the WTO in 1995.
2. Objective: The primary aim of the Doha Round was to achieve reforms in the international trading system and to address the needs and interests of the developing countries.
3. Key Areas of Negotiation: The negotiations have focused on several areas, including agriculture, services, market access for non-agricultural products, intellectual property, and sustainable development.
4. Why 2001? The decision to launch the Doha Development Round was made in the context of a post-Uruguay Round environment, with developing countries seeking a fairer trading system.

Thus, given the options provided—1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001—the correct answer is 2001, as it marks the official commencement of the Doha Development Round by the WTO.