Government authorities, academics, and specialists from international organizations will debate for three days about the gaps in access to health, education, pension systems and labor inclusion.

Despite the progress made in recent decades, Latin America and the Caribbean continue to be the most unequal regions in the world, which conspires against their development because this condition is a brake on eradicating precariousness, guaranteeing the exercise of rights and governability.

181 million people (29 percent of the population) in Latin America and the Caribbean live in poverty, 70 million (11.2) in extreme poverty.

Inequality is a historical and structural characteristic of the region, which has been maintained and reproduced even in periods of economic growth and prosperity, ECLAC said.

During the seminar, several personalities are scheduled to speak, including the president of the UN Economic and Social Council, Paula Narváez.

The meeting is preparatory to the Second World Summit on Social Development to be held in 2025.

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