The Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, Sir John Kaputin, has joined world leaders in pleading for an urgent action to address the growing global food shortage crisis.

Speaking at ACP Preparatory Meeting of the First Southern Regional Meeting of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, this week, in Windhoek, Namibia, Sir John admitted that the food shortage problem has hit hard on ACP states.

He said many ACP States at present are coming to terms with high prices of gas and basic food items.

Sir John said: "Action is now needed, and we should turn the tide so that we can provide food at all times to our people."

He believes that the food shortage crisis is directly linked to climate change.

Sir John said that there are many consequences of climate change and the depletion of water, food and energy resources.

"We often hear that these problems require global solutions. That means that all countries should unite to alleviate or minimize dire consequences," he said.

The Secretary General strongly believes that ACP-EU partnership provides the scope to deal effectively with this concern.

The current food shortage, especially rice, has led to food riots around the globe.