While the economic crisis is likely to dominate proceedings, world leaders will also discuss rising food prices and food security when they meet tomorrow (Wednesday, April 1), for the 2-day summit chaired by Gordon Brown.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, The Fairtrade Foundation has called for a fresh approach to trade and increased investment in agriculture to help ease the crisis.

The group warned the combined effect of food and financial crises are having a ‘devastating' impact on farmers in developing countries and called for urgent support to ensure food supplies.

It called on the UK Government to stop pushing developing countries to liberalise their economies and not to rush through a completion of the WTO Doha trade round, warning a global trade agreement is not in the interests of the poorest countries.

Barbara Crowther, the Fairtrade Foundation's director of communications and policy, said: “The current crisis poses many new threats to the livelihoods of the poorest people on the planet.

"But they also offer an unprecedented opportunity for world leaders to develop a fresh approach to the global trading system, prioritising justice and equity, including social and environmental standards, and build new trade relationships, fit to deal with the current financial, food and climate crises we now face.

“A new approach to global trade must put poor people and the planet first, strengthening local and regional supply chains, and ensuring cooperation in fairer global trade at an international level.”

The calls were backed up by UK charity Save the Children which called on the Government to ensure its investments in agriculture trickle down to improve livelihoods.

It warned up to 10 million children were being made hungry by the financial crisis and called on the G20 leaders to take urgent action.

David Mepham, head of policy for the charity, said: “The UK Government must work harder to ensure that its investments in agriculture and child welfare improve children's diets now, before it's too late.

“The impact of food prices has already dramatically set back the meagre progress made to tackle child malnutrition, and the financial crisis means even more children will be going hungry.”