DOHA, Qatar (AP) – French President Nicolas Sarkozy says the global economic crisis is an opportunity to “change the world” and raise developing nations out of poverty.

Sarkozy was speaking at a United Nations development conference in Qatar featuring the 20 nations with the largest economies Saturday.

The gathering intends to gain commitments from rich nations to pump billions of dollars into developing countries.

Sarkozy said the world cannot continue with “business as usual” and cautioned the rich against “sacrificing” the poor while looking for solutions to an “unprecedented financial crisis.”