GENEVA, April 27: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was set Monday to lead a concerted effort by 27 key UN agencies to tackle the growing crisis caused by a worldwide sharp rise in basic foodstuff prices.

The UN was scheduled at a two-day conference in the Swiss capital Bern to reveal a battle plan of emergency measures, while exploring other longer-term measures to solve the world’s food crisis.

This will involve adjudicating between advocates of protectionism and those who favour opening up markets, as well as between supporters of biofuels and opponents thereof.

Rising populations, strong demand from developing countries, increased cultivation of crops for biofuels and increasing floods and droughts have sent food prices soaring across the globe.

“The world food crisis and the solutions that the United Nations can provide will be at the centre of discussions,” said the UN. The talks hosted by Ban will take place behind closed doors at the Universal Postal Union headquarters in Bern, lasting all day on Monday and Tuesday morning.

Results of the deliberations are expected on Tuesday.

The FAO has warned that sharp rises in cereal prices have left 37 poor countries in an emergency situation sparking food riots.

Ban Ki-moon called in Vienna on Friday for immediate concerted action to resolve the global food crisis.

“In the short term, we must address all the humanitarian crises which have been impacting poorest of poor pople in the world,” he said.—AFP