Havana, May 8 (RHC) -- Cuba is a model of South-South cooperation to promote equality and development, the head of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) said on Monday.

"Cuba is a relevant example of how much can be done in favor of South-South cooperation," ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena said in Havana on Monday.

Bárcena is in Cuba, along with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and other agency officials, for ECLAC's 37th session, to be held in Havana from through Friday, May 11th.

Cuba's government has made it a priority to collaborate with other developing countries to strengthen health and wellbeing, and to pursue policies that promote equality, she said.

This is the second time that Cuba hosts ECLAC's annual meeting; the first time was in 1949, when the agency hosted its 2nd session.

The ECLAC gathering in Havana is drawing ministers, deputy ministers and officials from ECLAC's 46 member countries and 13 associated countries.

Cuba, a member since 1948, will take over the rotating presidency of the agency for the next two years.