FOOD SUMMIT: COMMITMENT TO END HUNGER RENEWED

FOOD SUMMIT: COMMITMENT TO END HUNGER RENEWED

(ANSA) - Rome, November 16 - World leaders taking part in the the United Nations World Summit on Food Security here unanimously adopted a declaration on Monday pledging renewed commitment to eradicate hunger in the world sustainably and at the earliest date.

It was also agreed to work to reverse the decline in domestic and international funding for agriculture and promote new investment in the sector, to improve governance of global food issues in partnership with relevant stakeholders from the public and private sector, and to proactively face the challenges of climate change to food security.

The summit was held at the headquarters of the UN's Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

It was opened by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon while the keynote speech was given by Pope Benedict XVI, making his fist visit to FAO headquarters.

More than 60 heads of state came to Rome for the summit but the biggest global players including the United States were absent.

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, who chaired the summit, was is the only G8 leader to attend.

The summit will close on Wednesday