Delivering the keynote address at the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, in Colombo, Mrs Bandaranaike proposed the creation of a World Fertilizer Fund. The idea received support resulting in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission adopting a resolution sponsored by Sri Lanka and New Zealand shortly thereafter and the FAO being tasked with preparing an emergency plan of operation for increasing a fertilizer pool, which was operationalized. The International Fertilizer Supply Scheme Fund was born four months later.