By Prensa Latina,
United Nations : A high-ranking UN official warned on Monday that aspirations of sustainable development are threatened by the disturbing world crisis triggered by soaring food prices.
“We must discuss thoroughly the problems which have eroded food security, and how we can prevent similar crisis in the future,” said UN Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, Sha Zukang.
The Chinese diplomat referred to the rise in food prices at the inauguration of the 16th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.
He said the agenda of the Commission includes agriculture, rural development and land, as well as some of the most urgent, important international issues affecting the quality of life of millions of people worldwide.
“We are currently facing the greatest food challenge, which threatens to increase poverty and malnutrition, trigger social unrest and exhaust government reserves,” he said, while announcing a special session of the Economic and Social Council on May 20 to discuss the origins of the food crisis and political responses to the problem.
This meeting will be followed by an emergency summit convened by FAO for early June in Rome.