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Vienna International Community - Top Diplomats - Latest Headlines
Read updated news about key diplomats in Vienna's international community,e.g. changes in diplomatic personnel in Austria & at Austrian representations abroad

Austrian Foreign Ministry Celebrates Girls' Day with Live Talk
On April 22, 2021, interested girls in 5th grade and above will have the opportunity to learn more about the different tasks and careers within the Austrian Foreign Ministry and in Foreign Service. Registration is possible until April 20, 2021, and the live talk will take place between 11 am and 12 pm on April 22.
April 15, 2021


Vienna Hosts Discussion Over Iran Nuclear Agreement

High representatives of the EU, China, France, Germany, Russia, UK, Iran and the United States have come to Vienna in order to discuss a possible revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as Iran Nuclear Agreement. Although progress was made, the path to a final decision might be long.
April 12, 2021



Manizha Bakhtari, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan Presents Credentials


The new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Afghanistan to Austria, Manizha Bakhtari, presented her Letters of Credence. She was the former Afghan ambassador to the Nordic Countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland), and previously served as the Chief of Staff of the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
March 15, 2021



Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from Spain, Kazakhstan, Ireland, Ghana, Argentina and Afghanistan


Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Spain, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Ireland, the Republic of Ghana, the Argentine Republic and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.
March 4, 2021


Jewish Museum Vienna Opens "Herzls Töchter - 100 years WIZO. Viennese Women for Israel"

In a new exhibition, the Jewish Museum Vienna highlights the past 100 years of the Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO) with particular spotlight on the movement in Vienna. Ambassador of Israel to Austria H.E. Mr. Mordechai D. Rodgold together with WIZO president Karin Maier-Winter, and Director of the Museum Danielle Spera.
February 24, 2021 · Updated: February 26, 2021; 20:45



Österreichisches Außenministerium: Neubesetzung von 30 Diplomatischen Leitungsfunktionen Weltweit


Das Österreichische Außenministerium (Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten) unter der Leitung von Außenminister Alexander Schallenberg hat in der heutigen Sitzung des Ministerrates die Neubesetzung von mehreren (30) österreichischen Vertretungsbehörden - wie folgt - beschlossen.
February 24, 2021


Schallenberg Reallocates Foreign Positions

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has entrusted several envoys and current ambassadors with new positions abroad. More than 20 Austrian embassies or Consulate Generals will have new leadership and three cultural forums will see a change in management.
February 24, 2021



Meet the New Permanent Representative of Argentina to Austria and to the International Organizations in Vienna


H.E. Mr. Gustavo Eduardo Ainchil, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to the Republic of Austria, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia and to the International Organizations in Vienna, presented his credentials.
February 24, 2021


Schallenberg at FAC: First Meeting With New U.S. Secretary of State

At the EU's Foreign Affairs Council, Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and his colleagues had the chance to confer with the new U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Besides that, the agenda of the Council included targeted sanction against Russian officials and the difficult situations in Myanmar and Hong Kong.
February 23, 2021


Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the International Organizations in Vienna Presents her Credentials

The new Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations (Vienna), Sabra Amari Murillo Centeno, presented her credentials to some of the international organizations in Vienna.
February 22, 2021


IAEA: Interim Solution Found in Nuclear Dispute with Iran

Director General Grossi Grossi traveled to Iran over the weekend to search for a way out of the recently escalated nuclear dispute. The counterparts agreed that Iran continues for up to 3 months to implement fully and without limitation its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA as before. Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg also welcomes the fact that controls on Iran's nuclear program will continue for the time being.
February 22, 2021


Robin Dunnigan Interim Head of the U.S. Embassy in Vienna

Following the election defeat and handover of office from Donald Trump to Joe Biden, and the directly related recall of U.S. Ambassador Traina from the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, the latter's Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Robin Lisa Dunnigan, has assumed interim leadership of the U.S. Embassy in Austria as "Chargé d'Affaires ad interim".
February 17, 2021


Austria Takes Over Montenegrin Covid-19 Patient

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg agreed to take over a Montenegrin Covid-19 patient who needs immediate intensive care. The patient has already been transfered to a hospital in Lower Austria, where he will receive intensive medical attention. This is the third time that Austria is helping Montenegro with the treatment of Covid-19 cases.
February 10, 2021


Portuguese State Secretary Ribeiro Appointed OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

The OSCE member states recently made new appointments to the organization's leadership positions at the Ministerial Council. Teresa Ribeiro, the former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the Portuguese government, has filled the post of OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. Apart from her diplomatic career, the 66-year-old Portuguese had also worked in the media sector in the past.
February 2, 2021

British in Vienna: First Residence Permit Handed Out
The first British citizen living in Vienna has received her approved residence permit. After the UK has left the EU on December 31, 2020, about 12,000 Britons living in Austria will need to apply for a residence title by the end of 2021. British Ambassador to Austria Leigh Turner is pleased by the processing of the Austrian officials so far.
February 1, 2021



New Year's Reception for Vienna's Diplomatic Corps


Alexander Van Der Bellen and Pedro Lopez Quintana, the doyen of the diplomatic corps, delivered a video address on the occasion of the New Year 2021 to all diplomats accredited in Austria and to the international community in general. Read the most important excerpts from the Austrian President's speech below.
January 29, 2021
Influential OPEC Fund Celebrates 45th Anniversary

The Vienna-based OPEC Fund for International Development marks its 45th anniversary today. Since inception in 1976 by the Member States of OPEC, the multilateral development finance institution has approved more than US$25 billion in essential financing for 135 partner countries.
January 28, 2021


Myanmar Ambassador Receives President of Austrian-Myanmar Society

U Min Thein, Ambassador-designate of Myanmar to Austria received President of Austrian-Myanmar Society Prof. Dr. Andreas Moritz (Head of the School of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna) and Vice-President Mr. Philip Schönthal (Myanmar Honorary Consul-General to Austria) at the Myanmar Embassy.
January 28, 2021


Austria Underwent Human Right's Review

Austria underwent the "Universal Periodic Review" (UPR), an UN initiative to review human right records in each of its Member States. Austria's Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler looks forward to the results of the review process, which will be published as a public report.
January 27, 2021


Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations Office in New York Presents his Credentials

Ambassador Alexander (Axel) Marschik is the new permanent representative of Austria to the United Nations in New York. He presented his credentials to UN's General Secretary Antonio Guterres and sees it as "a privilege to serve as Ambassador to the United Nations together with colleagues from all over the world."
January 27, 2021

Travel Austria-USA: Negative Covid-19 Test Required
The new President of the United States and the responsible departments have renewed the entry ban for European citizens. Thus, effective January 26, 2021, Austrians, Europeans and even U.S. citizens traveling to the USA need to provide a negative Covid-19 test result in order to be allowed to travel to the United States.
January 26, 2021



US Ambassador Traina Leaves Austria


The U.S. Ambassador to Austria Trevor Traina has concluded his mission and returns to his home country. Austria's Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Schallenberg thank Traina for his commitment to better the bilateral relations between the two countries, while Traina himself bids farewell in a video starring highlights of his term.
January 26, 2021

Britons in Vienna: 10% Have Already Applied for Residence Permit
About 10 percent of the British citizens in Vienna have already applied for a residence permit. Due to Brexit, the British population residing in EU countries needs to take certain measures in order to stay eligible for residence in the future. In Austria, the deadline for applications is December 31, 2021.
January 13, 2021

Mandatory Registration for Travel to Austria
Starting on Friday, January 15, 2021, travellers entering Austria will need to be registered in order to pass the border. The quarantine obligation after entry remains in effect. The required form is available on the page of the Foreign Ministry and needs to be presented in the event of an inspection.
January 12, 2021


Austro-American Society Celebrates 75th Anniversary

The Austro-American Society (ÖAG) celebrated it 75th anniversary on January 6, 2021. The Austrian Ambassador to the USA, Martin Weiss, the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, and the heads of the ÖAG used this occasion to underline the goals of the society's. These comprise the strengthening of the Austro-American relations in the aspects of social, economic, cultural and public life.
January 7, 2021


Impact of Internationals in Austria Remains Huge

According to recent numbers, Austria's official residence secures more almost 19,000 jobs and has an economic impact of EUR 1.35 billion gross value added. This is a significant increase from 2018 although Covid-19 has turned diplomatic relations and encounters into a virtual setting.
December 29, 2020


Austria Helps: Covid-19 Accelerates Global Crises

The Austrian government has decided to increase its funding for the Foreign Disaster Fund and the Austrian Development Agency, which are both responding to ongoing crises in the world. In total, the two programs will be able to help people in need with over EUR 175 million in 2021, an increase of almost EUR 40 million compared to 2020.
December 15, 2020
International Visitor Leadership Program Celebrates 80th Anniversary

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program, celebrates its 80th anniversary. The program has opened doors for more than 225,000 participants from all over the globe and has connected current and emerging leaders to US culture and society.
December 9, 2020


Schallenberg Wants to Work Shoulder to Shoulder with United States

At the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU in Brussels the Foreign Ministers discussed transatlantic relations, the continuing tensions with Turkey and current trouble spots such as Ethiopia and Belarus. Austria's Minister Schallenberg hopes for improved relations between the United States and the EU in the near future.
December 7, 2020

First Austrian Swedish Innovation Exchange Day
The Austrian and Swedish government have decided to hold their first ever Austrian Swedish Innovation Exchange Day, which will try to kick-off a lasting bilateral relationship with regard to innovation, business and industry. The event will be attended by Austrian and Swedish politicians as well as representatives of the economic sector.
November 23, 2020


Hong Kong Economist: How China Will Implement the National Security Law

Insightful conversation about the current economic crisis in Hong Kong, which was triggered by the National Security Law and the Coronavirus, which was conducted between the Austrian diplomat and former ambassador in Beijing, Irene Giner Reichl and the Hong Kong Economist and Lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Chi Lo.
November 20, 2020


The Netherlands Gift 10,000 Tulips to Vienna

After the terror attack in Vienna on November 2, the Dutch government represented by the Dutch Ambassador to Austria Gierveld gifted the City of Vienna 10,000 tulips which will be planted near the location of the attack and at other public gardens of Vienna.
November 19, 2020


Lavrov and Schallenberg: Support for Nagorno-Karabakh

In a telephone call, Lavrov and Schallenberg, the Foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation and Austria, respectively, have assured their countries' support for the people in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The Austrian government has, furthermore, decided to make funds from the Foreign Disaster Fund available.
November 18, 2020


Ambassador Turner Met Governor of Carinthia

British Ambassador to Austria met Carinthia's Governor Kaiser to discuss the current Covid-19 situation in Austria and also the Brexit negotiations that are in the decisive stage. Turner hopes that the registration of British citizens following the Brexit will be easy and unbureaucratic.
November 12, 2020


COVID-19 Hinders the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting the implementation and achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the same time the pandemic serves as a strong wake-up call for the international community to build a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future as summarised under the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
November 5, 2020


United Nations Join Host City Vienna in Mourning for the Victims of the Terror Attack

In a message from Ms. Ghada Waly to Vienna, the staff of the VIC - Vienna International Centre and the world, the Director-General, UN Office at Vienna, declares that she rejects violence and hatred, stands in solidarity with Vienna and that the flags at the Vienna International Centre will be lowered during Austria's mourning period.
November 3, 2020


Charitable Actions of Austrian Embassies All Over the World

Austrian Embassies all over the world made an effort to celebrate the national holiday accordingly by supporting local charities and people who need it most. From Tel Aviv to Buenos Aires and from Washington to Zagreb, many embassies organized different types of aid projects for locals.
October 30, 2020

First Descendants of Nazi Victims Apply for Austrian Citizenship
After the passing of an amendment that allows descendants of victims of National Socialism to obtain the Austrian Citizenship, the first applications have been received and welcomed by the Austrian Embassy in Washington, DC.
October 27, 2020


French Ambassador Met Integration Minister: Unity Against Parallel Societies And Extremism

After the murder of a French teacher in Paris, French ambassador Pécout met Austria's Integration Minister Raab to discuss parallel societies and extremism. They both agreed on the importance of integration and the vehement and rigorous fight against extremism.
October 23, 2020


75 Years of United Nations: UN Flags Illumination on Schwarzenbergplatz

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, the Hochstrahlbrunnen on the Schwarzenbergplatz in Vienna will be illuminated with the flags of the UN's member countries. Director General of the United Nations Office in Vienna, Ghada Waly, and Mayor Michael Ludwig will start the illumination.
October 22, 2020


Coronavirus: Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Tested Positive

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has tested positive for the coronavirus. As he attended the Council of EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, there is a suspicion that he was infected there. In the meantime it has also become known via Twitter that one of his contacts, the Belgian Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmes, has also tested positive.
October 17, 2020


Canadian Foreign Minister Visits Austria

The Canadian Foreign Minister Champagne visited Austria to conduct meetings with UN Organizations as well as with Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Schallenberg. The topics on the agenda were the CETA agreement, the Covid-19 pandemic and current foreign trouble spots.
October 15, 2020


Belarusian Opposition Leader Tikhanovskaya Met Schallenberg

The famous Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who is currently trying to win the EU and European politicians over to help her and her supporters fight against the recent fraudulent election result, met Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Vienna.
October 8, 2020


Slovenian President will join Van der Bellen for "100 Years Carinthian Referendum"

For the first time ever, a Slovenian President will take part in the ceremony for "100 Years Carinthian Referendum". Slovenian Head of State Pahor will be joining his Austrian counterpart Van der Bellen for the celebrations.
October 7, 2020


European Council Decides on Sanctions Against Belarus

The European Council which was attended by the heads of the 27 member countries decided on sanctions against Belarus as well as a threat of sanctions against Turkey. Chancellor Kurz, Autria's representative at the Council, is satisfied with the two-day long discussions.
October 5, 2020


UNIDO Partners Up With Women Leadership Forum to Hold Special Event

UNIDO and the European Brand Institute have organized the 8th Women Leadership Forum, which was held as a hybrid event in Vienna. International successful women as well as other supportive public figures have gathered together to empower women.
October 1, 2020

Van der Bellen Welcomes New Ambassadors
Federal President Van der Bellen welcomes new ambassadors from eight different nations to Austria. The new ambassadors have already begun with their work.
September 30, 2020


International Discussion About Europe's Fundamental Values in Salzburg

Politicians from Hungary, Srpska, Albania, Slovakia and Austria came together in Salzburg to discuss the fundamental values of Europe. Democracy, inner-European cooperation and the fight against Covid-19 were only some of the main topics.
September 29, 2020


Absentee Voting Week for U.S. Elections

The U.S. Consulate in Vienna has issued a guideline for absentee voting in the upcoming U.S. elections. The elections will take place November 3rd, yet voter registration and ballot requests need to be completed as soon as possible due to different deadlines across states.
September 29, 2020

Game-changing Transformations, Following the Response to COVID-19
A side event sponsored by IIASA and ISC as part of the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), attended among others by H.E. Ban Ki-moon and former President of Ireland H.E. Mary Robinson, addressed the game-changing measures that will help build a more resilient world and summarized key policy insights on how to move forward sustainably.
September 29, 2020