RI likely to host world summit on food, energy crisis

Wirayuda said Indonesia was ready to host such a summit even if it had to be held before September 2008.

"What we have to prepare with some extra effort is the concept of the meeting. But about the physical organization of such a meeting, there is no doubt we can do it. When a devastating tsunami hit Aceh, we were able to hold a summit within six days after the disaster," Wirayuda said.

The foreign minister met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday.

Wirayuda said at the meeting with the UN chief, he brought up President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s idea that the world body should hold a world leaders` summit during the UN General Assembly in September.

"According to President Yudhoyono, it is urgent that the United Nations overcome the skyrocketing prices of food and energy because they were having a negative impact on developing countries. As everybody can observe, demonstrations to protest the food and energy crisis are happening in many countries, including in Indonesia," Wirayuda said.

He said Ban Ki-moon who admitted that the crisis required urgent attention from the UN would prepare his response to President Yudhoyono`s idea.

"The UN chief will discuss the matter with related institutions within the world body such as Ecosoc and FAO and then coordinate with the World Bank," Wirayuda said.

While in New York ...