The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Thursday called for a political and financial push to boost sustainable agricultural development and double global food production in efforts to end food shortages.

"I wish to reaffirm that we know what needs to be done to eradicate the hunger of 923 million people in the world," FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf said at a ceremony marking the World Food Day.

"We also know what needs to be done to double world food production and feed a population that is expected to rise to 9 billion people by 2050," he said.

The FAO chief said 22 billion U.S. dollars were pledged to promote global food security earlier this year, but only 10 percent of that has so far been materialized.

"What we need ... is political will and delivery on financial commitments, if we are to be able to make the essential investments that are needed to promote sustainable agricultural development and food security in the poorest countries of the world," he said.

"That is the surest way of forging a world of economic and social progress and creating the conditions for peace and security of humanity," he said.

FAO celebrates the World Food Day on Oct. 16 every year, the day on which the organization was founded in 1945.

Climate change and bio-energy are the focus of this year's World Food Day events, which are expected to involve over 150 countries.