BRASILIA, May 23 (Xinhua) -- South American countries will provide solutions for the world food crisis, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said here Friday at the summit of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur).

    "When food shortage threatens social peace in many parts of the world, many people come to our region to look for answers," said Lula.

    "We are aware of our global responsibilities, but we don't give up practicing them in a totally sovereign way. We don't let ourselves be cheated by arguments with protectionist interests or geopolitical motivations. They are uncomfortable with the growth of our industry and agriculture," he added.

    Twelve South American nations -- Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela and Suriname -- have come together to form Unasur, an alliance designed to strengthen political dialogue between member states and aid regional integration, especially in the areas of economy, finance, social development and culture.