The head of the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization is calling for a boost in agricultural production to help counter soaring food prices and combat global hunger.

Jose Graziano da Silva made his comments in Vietnam Thursday at a FAO regional conference for the Asia-Pacific region. The region is home to over 60 percent of the world's people suffering from hunger and malnutrition.

Graziano da Silva took over as FAO director-general in January. He said sustainable increases in agricultural production and a “fairer and more inclusive” global food system are needed if the world is to address global hunger.

He also said those living in developed countries and urban centers must help ensure there will be enough food to feed the global population, which is expected to increase by another 1 billion people by 2050.