La Paz, May 30 (NNN-RHC) -- Bolivian President, Evo Morales, inaugurated an international Women's Summit in eastern Santa Cruz in the lead up to the upcoming Group of 77 plus China Summit in June.

Morales urged women leaders to take steps to consolidate the rights they have achieved so far and to present the conclusions of their May 29th and 30th gathering at the summit on June 14th and 15th. He also called on women to organize "to guarantee the profound changes" and progress they have made in winning greater equality.

Morales stressed "the importance of continuing to implement policies in favor of women."

Acting head of UN Women, Lakshmi Puri, called the international gathering "historic," noting that it marked the first time that the G-77 has organized an event dedicated to women.

"We are very hopeful that this will be the first of many similar gatherings, and we also hope that it serves as a milestone that positions the G-77 as a great leader," said Puri.

The Women's Summit organizing committee said hundreds of women political and social leaders from throughout Latin America and other parts of the globe had gathered to discuss four basic concerns: women's rights, the challenges facing women towards a new world order, poverty eradication and women's economic independence in the post-millennium era.

The G77 brings together developing nations to voice their common concerns as a group within the United Nations system.