established — 3 October 1946

aim — to deal with population matters of importance to the UN, as part of Economic and Social Council organization

members — (27) selected on a rotating basis from all regions

Rio Group (RG)

note — formerly known as Grupo de los Ocho, established in December 1986

established — NA 1988

aim — to consult on regional Latin American issues

members — (11) Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela; note - Panama was expelled in 1988

Second World

another term for the traditionally Marxist-Leninist states of the USSR and Eastern Europe, with authoritarian governments and command economies based on the Soviet model; the term is fading from use; see centrally planned economies