The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and some 300 Latin American social organizations gathered Thursday to tackle major social issues in the region, the bank said in a statement.

The meeting, the 10th of its kind, brought together representatives from 26 countries to share their experience and exchange opinions on such issues as gender violence, ethnic and social inclusion, mining development, food security, biodiversity and environmental conservation, the statement said.

Participants also discussed social sustainability and cooperation between the IDB and the organizations, it added.

"The situation in each Latin American country presents important challenges for its civil society that should be confronted and discussed to achieve common good results," said Elena de Alfaro, a member of the IDB's Civil Society Consultation Group.

Last year, more than 150 meetings were held in the IDB's 26 borrowing member countries.