Quito, September 5 (RHC) -- Social inequality, political governance and economic agenda are the three key areas that the new secretary general of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), Ernesto Samper, plans to boost.

Speaking at UNASUR headquarters in Quito during his first press conference after his appointment on August 22nd, Samper announced that his management will be based on: a social agenda, undertaking social inequality as one of the biggest problems; a governability agenda, paying attention to transnational crime; and an economic agenda, adding value to exports.

Samper detailed the roadmap and objectives with which he will lead the organization, saying "the aim will be to maintain the vocation of South America as a region of peace in the world and regain the political role of UNASUR, which was created in 2008 to promote integration among member countries in various fields."

Latin America has shown growth, he said, citing that in the past 10 years, there are 70 million fewer poor people. The region is democratically governed, however, he said there are "threats" like drugs, organ trafficking, weapons and terrorism, he noted. "Our intention is to put special attention to these transnational crimes and we are considering the proposal of creating a Regional Criminal Court to take care of these crimes."

Samper will officially take office on September 11th in Caracas, Venezuela. He will visit Chile, Argentina and Uruguay next week at the beginning of his term. /Source: Xinhua