The fourth Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) ended Wednesday as delegates pledged regional unity to focus on the peace process in Colombia and fight the economic crisis and the epidemic caused by the Zika virus. The summit, which was recently held in Ecuador, was hosted by Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa.

According to Correa, 20 resolutions were considered in the private meeting which was held with the heads of state. With every problem that arises in their region, delegates from the 33 member countries have recognized the need to "strengthen unity and make binding agreements that allow members to go through difficult moments."

Latin America and the Caribbean States are presently experiencing tough times. From the Zika outbreak, tumbling oil prices to slowdown of the Chinese economy -- all these only makes it more difficult for the region to guarantee rights, generate jobs or even reduce poverty. However, for Correa, there is still hope. "The will of our people and the unity of the region" is the key, Correa added.

One of the most important issues tackled in the meeting is poverty which is according to Chilean President Michelle Bachelet affects 28 percent of the region. Correa also stressed that this issue might be one of the biggest challenge that CELAC will face.

"Poverty eradication is a moral imperative the region must achieve," said Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino during a press conference after the delegates' meeting.

Regarding the issue, Xinhua reported that Patino urged other delegates to take a step up towards creating a regional financial structure so that the savings of Latin American and Caribbean countries will remain in their territory. By doing so, both regions will be able to finance their own development projects to help reduce poverty.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro seconded the proposal saying that the integration bloc must urgently focus on the economic matter this year.

Correa's counterpart, Danilo Medina, president of the Dominican Republic, noted that the heads of state also agreed to work together to fight the epidemic which is caused by the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said that their plan to take action against the virus will start next Tuesday, Feb. 2, in Uruguay with the region's ministers of health, as stated in Prensa Latina. 

Meanwhile, as stated in Xinhua, the five pillars of "Agenda 2020," which is "reducing poverty and inequality," "infrastructure and connectivity," "education, science, technology and innovation," financing for development" and "environment and climate change" were not established in the common agenda.