The regional meeting of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Friday called for the creation of mechanisms to help the region's poorest nations.

The call, initiated by Venezuela, was included in the final declaration issued at the end of the five-day 29th regional FAO conference on Latin America.

The number of malnourished people rose to 14.1 million between the 2001-2003 period from 12.7 million in 1990-1992 in Central America and the Caribbean region, while the figure dropped in most parts of the world, said FAO Director General Jacque Diouf at the conference.

Diouf also said economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean region were favorable for reducing hunger. The region registered a 3.8-percent growth rate in 2005, compared with 5.9 percent in 2004.

The 29th Latin American and Caribbean conference of the FAO began on Monday in Caracas, with ministers from 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries attending to discuss topics ranging from food security and hunger and poverty relief.

The conference is the largest regional gathering organized by the FAO. The next will be held in 2008 in Brazil.

Source:Xinhua