The
Western European and Others Group (
WEOG) is one of five 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,
New Zealand, which are culturally and politically descended from Western European states but are located far away from them.
Israel is also a permanent member, due to its strong cultural and historical links with Western Europe and its inability to join the Asian Group due to opposition by Arab countries. The group also contains one observer, the
United States (which cannot vote but can put forward candidates for the General Assembly). Turkey participates fully in both the WEOG and the Asian Group, but for electoral purposes is considered a member of the WEOG only.