France is planning to host a world summit on global economic crisis in January, the office of President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Tuesday.

The meeting will be hosted by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Britain former Prime Minister Tony Blair in Paris on Jan. 8-9.

In a press statement, Sarkozy's office said "We are living in a crucial period for economies and social organizations. More than ever, we must show that we can propose concrete solutions to the challenges we face."

Nobel prize winning economists Joseph Stiglitz and Amartya Sen as well as U.S. philosopher Francis Fukuyama have already agreed to participate the meeting. "International political leaders" will also take part.

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2008)