Ban has said economic troubles may affect achieving the Mullennium Development Goals [EPA]

Addressing 120 world leaders at a UN general assembly meeting in New York on Tuesday, he said the economic problems could have a "very serious negative impact" on the capacity of rich nations to help others achieve their targets - primarily to reduce extreme poverty by 50 per cent.

Ban said: "We face a global financial crisis. A global energy crisis. A global food crisis. Trade talks have collapsed, yet again."

The secretary general said that the world faced a "development emergency."

"We must galvanise global awareness and global action, with a special focus on Africa."

Ban said that a "green revolution" was needed in Africa with additional new resources.

He added that the intenational community had "not matched words with deeds" in reference to assisting Africa's development.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, and Ali Osman Taha, the Sudanese president, are also due to speak at the 63rd UN general assembly's annual ministerial session.

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