The UN General Assembly elected on Monday Finland, Australia and Switzerland to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to replace relinquishing members of the Western European and Other Group States.
Members of the Western European and Other Group exchange seats as part of agreements within the group.
Canada gave up its seat to Australia, Denmark gave up its seat to Finland, and New Zealand gave up its seat to Switzerland, to start its term in January 2015.
Without these agreements, Canada would have remained on the council until December, 31, 2015; Denmark and New Zealand would continue until the end of 2016.
The 18 new members of the ECOSOC, to begin their term on January 1, 2015, were elected late October.
With a total of 54 members, 18 seats are either renewed or newly elected each year according to geographical representation - African States 14 seats, Asian States 11 seats, Eastern European States 6 seats, Latin American and Caribbean States 10 seats, and Western European and Other States 13 seats.