The Western European and Others Group (WEOG) is one of several unofficial regional voting blocs within the United Nations. Regional voting blocs were formed in 1961 to encourage voting to various UN bodies from regional groups. WEOG is unusual in that geography is not the sole defining factor as members are included from North America, Asia, and the Pacific region as well as Western-style democracies in Europe.
In 2000, Israel, though naturally a part of the Asian Group in geographical terms but with membership withheld, was admitted on a temporary basis (subject to renewal) to WEOG's New York activities, thereby enabling it to be a candidate for election to various UN bodies [1]. Without a regional membership, Israel had been unable to be elected to various UN activities and bodies. In 2000, on the nine-month 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 [2].
There were 29 member states as of 2005.
WEOG Member States
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Holy See
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Israel (Temporary Basis, New York only)
The UN's regional grouping system is subject to periodic review.
External link
Last updated: 06-27-2005 02:02:05
