The head of the United Nations food agency has urged people around the world to hold a 24-hour fast in the run-up to a food security summit early next week in Rome.

Food and Agriculture Organisation Director-General Jacques Diouf said the fast is intended to show solidarity with the world's one billion people who go hungry. Mr Diouf says he will observe the fast on Saturday. He has asked world leaders to follow suit. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has already heeded the call, saying it is unacceptable that so many go hungry when there is enough food in the world to feed everyone.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (Photo: Flickr)