New York - The current economic uncertainties gripping the world may drive an estimated 100 million people into poverty, the United Nations said Friday, also the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

An estimated 1.4 billion people currently live in extreme poverty. Spiralling food and energy prices may worsen living conditions for millions more, the UN said.

"Our efforts to eradicate poverty must pay close attention to respect for human rights and the dignity of all," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.

The poor must have access to the resources they need - including land, capital, knowledge and skills - to help them escape poverty, he said.

The UN has set a timetable to eradicate poverty and hunger by 2015. But many countries are falling behind in carrying out programmes to improve the living conditions of some of their poorest. Extreme poverty is defined as the purchasing power of a person living on less than 1.25 dollars a day. (dpa)