By MIKE GLOVER | Associated Press

Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:03 am

DES MOINES, Iowa — Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson called Thursday for a focus on fighting poverty and hunger in the developing world, arguing hunger and overpopulation are the greatest looming threat to the establishment of a stable world.

“For decades, we believed that the only apocalyptic threat to human civilization was the possibility of nuclear war,” said Richardson. “Now we know better. We know that poverty and overpopulation affect us all.”

Richardson called for a new Marshall Plan with the United States leading an international effort to tackle the issues, and he used the speech to tout his experience as a former ambassador to the United Nations.

“We cannot afford leadership that has not been tested,” Richardson said. “My colleagues in this race have my respect, but it is a simple fact that the next international deal negotiated by any of them will be their first.”

Richardson said his plan would focus on development initiatives, expanding sustainable energy programs and reinvigorating the United Nations.

“The United Nations is a necessary and important framework for building the international cooperation that will be necessary to confront problems like environmental degradation and poverty,” said Richardson. “We must reform and invigorate it.

Richardson argued that his experience in international affairs made him best qualified to lead in a troubled world.

“As a former U.N. ambassador, I more than anyone in this race understand the shortcomings of that institution,” said Richardson. “I’ve worked to solve them. And I also know the incredible power that the legitimacy of international cooperation can lend to peacekeeping.”

Richardson called for increased U.S. investment in the World Bank’s debt relief and development efforts, along with encouragement for other wealthy nations to do the same.

“I will make the U.S. the world leader in the fight against global poverty,” Richardson said. “The United States must increase its financial contribution to these international protection and development initiative.”

A second piece of his package focuses on developing sustainable energy, an effort he said is essential to reversing global warming and one that would spark economic development.

“We must start by instituting a nationwide, market-based cap and trade system that reduces carbon emissions in the U.S. by 80 percent by 2040,” said Richardson.

Richardson cited his success as governor of New Mexico in promoting clean energy, arguing voters are far ahead of their government in dealing with the issue.

“The most important thing is that Americans are ready to act,” he said. “All they need is a president who is ready to lead. Once you lead, you find allies in corners you never knew existed.”

Richardson noted his work with California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, in developing a regional program to cap carbon emissions as evidence he has experience on the issue.

He also called for a new diplomatic effort to deal with food production in developing areas, focusing on developing new crops and protecting natural resources.

“International cooperation will not always succeed, but cowboy diplomacy will almost always fail,” said Richardson.

As a final piece of his package, Richardson called for fighting cross-border crime, particularly the black market in drugs and arms. International cooperation is essential for that effort to succeed, he said.

He coupled his proposal with a separate initiative aimed at global disease. “I have proposed unprecedented increases in medical research,” said Richardson. “The U.S. also must step up our efforts in the fight against global disease.” He said a concerted international effort is needed to fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.