Western European and Others Group

The Western European and Others Group (WEOG) is one of several unofficial Regional Groups in the United Nations that act as voting blocs and negotiation forums. Regional voting blocs were formed in 1961 to encourage voting to various UN bodies from regional groups. Almost all members are in Western Europe, but the WEOG is unusual in that geography is not the sole defining factor; Europe is divided between the WEOG and the Eastern European Group, and the WEOG also contains Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, which are culturally and politically descended from Western European states but are located far away from them. The group also contains one observer, United States (which can't vote but can put forward candidates for the General Assembly), and one temporary full member, Israel (on a basis of "permanent renewal of temporary full membership").

There are 28 member states, as of 2007[1] (ratified again in 2010[2]).

Contents

WEOG Member States

Western European permanent members, belonging to WEOG exclusively

Other permanent members, belonging to WEOG exclusively

Permanent Members belonging to WEOG not on an exclusive basis

Members belonging to WEOG exclusively, on a basis of renewal of temporary full membership

WEOG Observers

Suggestions to re-arrange the group

In 2000, the first anniversary of Nauru's UN membership in the Asian Group prompted a call by that country for a new Oceania regional grouping including Australia and New Zealand within the United Nations regional voting system.[8]

WEOG and elections

Quotas for the five regional groups ensure that for most elections to UN bodies the number of seats available to members of the WEOG is set. For example, two of ten non-permanent seats of the Security Council are reserved for states from the Western European and Others Group. Similarly, 13 of ECOSOC's 54 members come from the WEOG.[9]

See also

References

Official external links