Mr Cowen launched a report drawn up by Irish and international experts on ways Ireland can help tackle the problem.
It sets out ways for Ireland to tackle food shortages especially in Africa.
Mr Cowen said that Ireland remained committed to reaching the target of contributing 0.7% of GNP to overseas aid by 2012.
However speaking in New York in advance of today's meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin indicated that the Government might find it difficult to meet its overseas aid commitment in the Budget.
World leaders at the UN headquarters will be eyeing developments in nearby Wall Street as they talk about ending hunger.
For most governments, one of the first targets for cutbacks in a recession is overseas aid.
Eight years ago, the UN agreed the Millennium Development Goals including an aim of halving world poverty by the year 2015. Those goals could suffer if the world economy downturn continues.
Later tonight, the Taoiseach will discuss those goals with other political leaders.
