The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) on Tuesday called for "more inclusion and welfare" in regional countries to combat severe inequality and the lack of social benefits for the great majority, Chilean media reported.

"We are the most unequal region in the world -- not the poorest, but the most unequal," ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Barcena told delegates at the World Economic Forum's Second Global Summit on the 2013 Global Agenda, which was held Tuesday in Abu Dabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates.

According to a statement on ECLAC's website, Barcena noted Latin America is "rich in natural resources, but with few regulations, especially governing property and distribution."

Barcena said while the region' s middle class was growing and enjoying greater purchasing power, regional governments were failing to keep up with public services that must be provided by the state.

Other problems plaguing the region are an imbalance of imports versus exports, low inter-regional trade that represents "only 19 percent of total trade, while in Asia it is nearly 40 percent and in Europe it is two-thirds," or 60 percent.

Some 20 international organizations are taking part in the Second Global Summit, which began Monday and will last until Wednesday.