The UN Security Council yesterday endorsed a British-backed plan for a peace-keeping force in Darfur.

In his first major foreign policy speech at the United Nations in New York, Mr Brown had called for the creation of the world's largest peace-keeping force to end the carnage and mayhem in Darfur. It was immediately endorsed by the Security Council.

The Prime Minister also urged his fellow national leaders to mobilise "people power" against global poverty and disease. "The situation in Darfur is the worst humanitarian disaster the world faces today," declared Mr Brown.

It has so far claimed an estimated 200,000 lives and created two million refugees.

The British-French plan will increase the troops in the stricken Sudanese region from the current 7000 to 27000; China indicated it had no objections to the use of force.

"Immediately we will work hard to deploy this force quickly," insisted Mr Brown.

The resolution allows for deployment from October 1. However, it could be as much as 12 months before the full force is on the ground.

The resolution would sanction the use of force to protect civilians and enable humanitarian workers to go about their business. The mission would comprise mainly African Union and UN soldiers, who would join about 7000 troops already in Darfur.

It is thought only a handful of British military could be involved to act as head- quarters staff. The additional force would comprise 20,000 troops and 6000 police units.

British Ambassador to the UN Sir Emyr Jones Parry said the force would be "large, robust and effective", would protect civilians and prevent armed attacks. It will "give hope and security to the people of Darfur," he said.

In advance of peace talks in Tanzania this weekend, Mr Brown called for a ceasefire and an end to the aerial bombardment of civilians. He explained that, as peace was established, investments in recovery and reconstruction would be vital.

The Prime Minister warned that he would not shirk from trying to secure further sanctions against Khartoum if it failed to co-operate.

The Sudanese government has already criticised a US-backed peacekeeping plan as "very ugly", threatening to block deployments. "We must be clear," said Mr Brown, "if any party blocks progress and the killings continue, I and others will redouble our efforts to impose further sanctions. The message for Darfur is that it is time for change."

In his speech, the PM called for a new global partnership, mobilising "people power" to help meet the Millennium Development Goals on issues ranging from eradicating extreme poverty and achieving universal primary education to cutting child deaths and combating HIV/Aids.

The target date is 2015 but some will not be met by 2050.

"It's time to call it what it is, a development emergency which needs emergency action. If 30,000 children died needlessly and avoidably every day in America or Britain, we would call it an emergency. And an emergency is what it is," insisted Mr Brown.

Labour MP John Battle, who sits on the International Development Committee, welcomed the resolution, which he described as "some progress". He said: "Now is a real chance for the UN to show what it's capable of doing on behalf of humanity."

A spokeswoman for Oxfam welcomed the Security Council decision but said it was still concerned that it may take months to deploy the force.

Judith Melby, of Christian Aid, also expressed concerns over the time it would take to get the force on the ground, and emphasised that the international community still had to focus on achieving a political solution to the crisis.

The PM also called for the revival of stalled world trade talks and new commitments on climate change as he cited former US President John F Kennedy. "In 1960, here in America, President John Kennedy called for a peace corps - an international commitment to harness the idealism many felt in the face of threats to human progress and world peace.

" Today, we should evoke the same spirit to forge a coalition for justice.

"And when conscience is joined to conscience, moral force to moral force, think how much our power to do good can achieve."

Last night, John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, said Mr Brown was taking a "global lead" in getting the Millennium Development Goals back on track.

Mr Brown was due back in London today.