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Read the latest headlines about developments at international organizations and the United Nations family in Vienna and Austria
Latest Headlines about International Organizations and UN Bodies
Closure of Controversial King Abdullah Center in Vienna Decided
The Austrian National Council has decided to close the King Abdullah Centre in Vienna. The KAICIID - King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, which is largely financed by Saudi Arabia, has long been controversial. The imminent death sentence of 18-year-old Murtaja Qureiris in Saudi Arabia was the immediate cause. The majority decision of parliament must now be implemented by the Foreign Ministry under Alexander Schallenberg. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) spoke out in favour of a new centre under the auspices of the UN.
June 13, 2019
Global Compact for Migration: Top UN Refugee Agency Diplomat Volker Türk at the Kreisky Forum
Austria's top diplomat in the UNHCR, a United Nations Programme, the international law expert Dr. Volker Türk has made an appeal to governments, NGOs and individuals to rethink refugee protection and to implement the UN Global Compact for Refugees adopted in 2018.
June 6, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - The Tireless Commitment of António Guterres
UN Secretary General António Guterres completed a busy programme when he came to Vienna for the 40th anniversary celebrations and the R20 Austria World Summit. The VIC Vienna International Centre is the place where, with the help of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the 193 member states, 15 Vienna-based UN organisations and more than 5000 people from 125 countries from around the world are bound together.
May 31, 2019
Combat Climate Change - António Guterres' Remarks at the R20 Austrian World Summit
Because of climate change all around the world the sea level is rising, floods, drought, wildfires and extreme storms appear, and people are now losing their homes and being forced to migrate. Read what António Guterres had to say in Vienna after a trip to the South Pacific.
May 30, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - Guterres, Kneissl and Ludwig at Ceremony
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the VIC Vienna International Centre (UNO-City), UN Secretary General António Guterres, former Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig attended a ceremony at the Vienna headquarters of the United Nations.
May 30, 2019
Diplomats for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2019
More and more embassies, delegations and permanent representations to international organisations supported this day (IDAHOBIT), that raises awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide, as well as EuroPride 2019 in Vienna.
May 29, 2019
International Research Institute IST to Celebrate 10th Anniversary
The "IST - Institute of Science and Technology Austria" in Maria Gugging near Klosterneuburg celebrates its 10th anniversary and invites for this reason to a festive event in its premises. What began 10 years ago with four professors is today an international scientific institution with 700 employees. Among the speakers and participants of the evening are Alexander Van der Bellen, Sebastian Kurz, Heinz Fassmann, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Thomas A. Henzinger, Michael Ignatieff, Daniel Zajfman, Alice Dautry and Edith Heard.
May 21, 2019
Migration Agency Demands New EU Migration Policy
Vienna based think tank International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is teaming up with its 17 member states to draw up migration policy recommendations for the next EU Commission.
May 10, 2019
40 Years of the Vienna International Centre
The United Nations headquarters in Vienna is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, marking four decades of diplomacy in Vienna. The VIC Vienna International Centre, also known locally as "UNO City", was officially inaugurated on 23 August 1979. Today, more than 5,000 employees from more than 125 countries are working to improve the lives of people around the world through the United Nations family of organizations and agencies in Vienna.
May 8, 2019
Media for Democracy: Journalism and Elections in Times of Disinformation
Almost 100 journalists were killed in 2018. The 2019 World Press Freedom Day discusses the current challenges faced by media in elections, along with the media’s potential in supporting peace and reconciliation processes.
May 3, 2019
Vienna Based OSCE Concerned about Freedom of the Media in Crimea and Uzbekistan
Following reports about the recent arrest of several citizen journalists in Crimea, the continued deterioration of freedom of expression and the safety of journalists on the peninsula, and about blocking of media outlets in Uzbekistan, the OSCE condems the arrest of citizen journalists in Crimea and calls for their immediate release, and also urges reform to media laws and regulations in Uzbekistan. Similarities to the case of the Austrian journalist Wehrschütz become apparent.
April 18, 2019
Leaders Discuss Azerbaijani-Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict in Vienna
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met in Vienna for the first time under the auspices of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to discuss the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The two heads of state also met with Austrian President Van der Bellen and Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
April 5, 2019
International Mine Awareness Day: By 2025 We Want to Make the World Minefree
Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl stresses Austria's commitment to the International Mine Awareness Day. In the last 20 years Austria has provided more than 33 million euros for mine action and supported projects in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Mozambique, Ukraine and other countries.
April 4, 2019
International Financial Institutions World Bank Group and IMF Expand Presence in Austria
Important success for Austria's business location policy. According to media reports, the IMF International Monetary Fund will move to Vienna in June, while the World Bank Group will double the staff and size of its Vienna office.
March 29, 2019
Laxenburg Research Institute IIASA Deepens Relations with South Korea
Since the Republic of Korea’s (South Korea) membership of IIASA began in 2008, a range of research collaborations and capacity building activities have been developed by IIASA and 18 Korean research partners. Now, Shin Dong-ik, Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations in Vienna, visited IIASA to learn more and to talk about the IIASA research agenda and the institute's current and future research collaborations with South Korea.
March 26, 2019
UNIDO Supports the Philippines Achieving Its Development Goals - Secretary of Foreign Affairs in Vienna
The Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines H.E. Mr. Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. visited the UNIDO in Vienna to meet Li Yong, the Director General. “The Government of the Philippines highly appreciates UNIDO’s relevance in helping the country achieve its development goals.”
March 22, 2019
Iraqi Expert Roundtable in Vienna - How to Reconstruct the City of Mosul?
More than 70 experts from Iraq, Austria and the relevant international community met in Vienna at the invitation of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce to discuss the reconstruction of the devastated northern Iraqi city of Mosul and find solutions. Here is the report of the Expert's Round Table on the Reconstruction of the City of Mosul.
March 14, 2019
Austrian Foreign Ministry Summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Scherba for Talks
Journalist Christian Wehrschütz has been barred from entering Ukraine for one year. The Austrian Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry Johannes Peterlik and Harlem Désir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, demand the lifting of the entry ban for ORF correspondent Christian Wehrschütz.
March 11, 2019
Meet UNIDO's Director General Li Yong
Li Yong (李勇), born in 1951, is a senior economic and financial policymaker from the People’s Republic of China. He is the current Director General of UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization, based in Vienna, Austria. Previously he served as Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China.
February 22, 2019
Austria Boosts Funds for the Battle against Female Genital Mutilation
In the context of the International Day against FGM - Female Genital Mutilation, both the Austrian Foreign Ministry and the AIF - Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF - Österreichische Integrationsfonds), which is largely financed by the Austrian Foreign Ministry, are increasing the financial resources amounting to € 6 million for the international fight against FGM. This day commemorates the fact that around 200 million girls and women worldwide are affected by female genital mutilation. In Austria alone, 8,000 women with a migration background are affected.
February 6, 2019
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Praises the Role of Austria
"As the home of the OSCE, Austria has always been a strong and generous supporter of our work and has allowed our Organization to conduct its important work," said OSCE PA President Tsereteli.
January 24, 2019
Austrian Development Cooperation until 2021 - Sustainable Development Reaching People
In the next three years, the Austrian Development Cooperation will focus above all on the promotion of women and local development assistance.
January 24, 2019
Visit the United Nations Family in Vienna and Get to Know Its Members
Are you a committed citizen and want to learn how the United Nations works? Would you like to find out more about how the UN made its home in Vienna, one of the four global UN headquarters?
January 18, 2019
Vienna International Centre Celebrates 40th Anniversary in 2019
In 2019, the VIC Vienna International Centre (commonly known as UNO City) is celebrating its 40th anniversary. More than 4,000 employees from over 110 countries work here. Vienna is one of the four headquarters of the United Nations alongside New York, Geneva and Nairobi. Find out which 19 organisations the United Nations family in Vienna includes and what they do in Vienna.
January 18, 2019
Meet Austria's New Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna: H.E. Ms. Gabriela Sellner
Following her appointment by the Austrian Council of Ministers in April last year, Dr.a Gabriela Sellner has now been accredited as Head of the Permanent Mission to the United Nations (Vienna), IAEA, UNIDO and CTBTO.
January 11, 2019
Austria's Contribution to the OSCE in 2019
The Main Committee of the Austrian National Council recently approved the continuation of numerous deployments to international missions, including tasks in the framework of the OSCE Special Observation Mission to Ukraine, the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the EU Mission to Georgia, where, inter alia, cooperation with the OSCE is taking place.
January 10, 2019
Vienna's UNODC Receives EUR 10 Million in Funding Agreements from UK
The United Kingdom and UNODC have signed two new funding agreements with a joint worth of EUR 10.13 million to strengthen UNODC's anti-corruption activities.
January 7, 2019
Global Report on Trafficking in Persons Launched in Vienna
The report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was presented by UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov at a special event of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) with Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl. Drawing on information from 142 countries, the report examines trafficking trends and patterns, and puts the spotlight on human trafficking in armed conflict.
January 7, 2019
What will be Going on at the IAEA in 2019?
What's ahead for the IAEA and its global agenda in 2019? Here is a preview of selected and important meetings and events at the IAEA.
January 7, 2019 · Updated: March 4, 2019; 19:03
UN Gets Christmas Tree from the City of Vienna - The VIC Will Be 40 Years Old in 2019
Every year the Viennese city administration provides the VIC - Vienna International Centre (UNO-City) with a Christmas tree, punch, zither music and a gingerbread craft station to create a pre-Christmas atmosphere.
December 20, 2018
EU-Africa Forum - Heads of State Share Vision on Cooperation Between Africa and Europe
The High-Level Forum Africa-Europe met at the ACV-Austria Center Vienna to focus on "Taking cooperation to the digital age". The debates focused on the cooperation between the European Union and African countries in the areas of innovation and digitisation, in particular the question of how the benefits of digital change can benefit everyone.
December 19, 2018
High-Level Forum Africa-Europe - EIB Signs 3 Africa Projects Totalling Half a Billion Euros
At the Africa‑Europe High‑Level Forum in Vienna the European Investment Bank formally agreed a total of EUR 495 million of new financing for three projects in ten countries to support sustainable transport, clean energy and internet access projects in North, West and East Africa.
December 19, 2018
Refugees and Skilled Migration - How to Solve the Political Crisis?
Around 500 participants ranging from politicians and policy makers to opinion leaders and experts from governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society organizations gathered recently at the Aula of Sciences in Vienna. The third Vienna Migration Conference 2018 aimed at solving the political crisis related to refugee protection and addressing European needs for skilled migration.
December 19, 2018
IAEA Inaugurates New Facility in Milestone for Modernization
The renovation of the IAEA's Nuclear Applications Laboratories in Seibersdorf for the peaceful use of nuclear technology is progressing swiftly with a further inauguration of an important facility. Nuclear techniques can help increase livestock productivity, detect food fraud, combat transboundary zoonotic diseases, and improve soil and water management, among other objectives, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
December 4, 2018
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden Visits IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf
Her Royal Highness Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden visited the laboratories of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Seibersdorf, Austria to understand how nuclear techniques help IAEA Member States with food and agriculture, human health, industrial applications and the environment.
December 4, 2018
Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Austria: H.E. Mr. Kairat Sarybay
H.E. Mr. Kairat Sarybay is the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Austria, Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia and the Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna.
November 30, 2018
Albania and OSCE Establish Cooperation in the Field of Freedom of the Media
The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama and the Vienna based OSCE have agreed on a new co-operation on anti-defamation package and rules for online media to ensure that future legislation is supportive of freedom of expression, media freedom and access to Internet.
November 29, 2018
The OPEC Fund OFID Has A New Director-General
Saudi Arabian national Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa has taken over the post of Director-General of the OFID (OPEC Fund for International Development) from his predecessor Suleiman J Al-Herbish at the former Palais Deutschmeister at Vienna's Parkring 8. His task is to implement OFID's objective, which is to reinforce financial cooperation between OPEC Member Countries and other developing countries, by providing financial support to the latter for their socioeconomic development.
November 22, 2018
Vienna Service Office - Connecting the City of Vienna with UNO CITY for 30 Years
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Service Office in the UNO City, Director General of UNOV, Yury Fedotov and the new Mayor Michael Ludwig confirmed the good and close cooperation between the City of Vienna and the local UN organisations.
November 22, 2018
Austrian Development Agency Receives More Funds from the Green Climate Fund
The ADA (Austrian Development Agency) reports that after a three-year process at the 21st board meeting of the Green Climate Fund in Manama, Bahrain, the accreditation of the ADA was completed on 20 October 2018.
November 12, 2018
Young Scientists Summer Program: "The Best Experience You've Ever Had In Your PhD"
Since 1977, IIASA’s annual 3-month Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) offers research opportunities to talented young researchers (PhD students) whose interests correspond with the institute’s ongoing research on issues of global environmental, economic, and social change. IIASA is now again looking worldwide for both sponsors and visionary young scientists who would like to apply.
November 9, 2018 · Sponsored Content
Meet the Ambassador of Australia to Austria: H.E. Mr. Brendon Hammer
Dr. Brendon Hammer is the Australian Ambassador to Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Kosovo, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia.
November 5, 2018
UN Migration Pact: Federal President Warns of the Loss of Austria's Reputation
In response to Austria's planned withdrawal from the UN Migration Pact, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen has addressed warning words to the federal government. The Federal President defends the Migration Pact and wants to conduct talks with Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Kneissl. Protests are also coming from across the country.
November 3, 2018
Meet the New USA Ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna (United Nations, IAEA, CTBTO) - Jackie Wolcott
Jackie Wolcott, of Virginia, is the new Representative of the United States to the Vienna Office of the United Nations, the new Representative of the United States of America to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the new Representative of the United States of America to the CTBTO Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, with the Rank of Ambassador.
November 2, 2018 · Updated: November 7, 2018; 13:00
Setback for the UN - Austria Won't Sign Global Migration Pact
Austria will follow the US and Hungary in backing out of a United Nations pact on migration (Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration) over concerns that it will blur the line between illegal and legal migration.
October 31, 2018
Eurasian Economic Union vs. European Union - Perspectives and Limits
At Lansky, Ganzger + Partner, at the meeting room of the Austrian-Kazakh Society (ÖKG - Österreichisch-Kasachische Gesellschaft), a number of prominent participants met for a panel discussion to explore the relationship between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU, EEU), to which Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia belong, and the European Union (EU) entitled "The Eurasian Economic Union and the EU - Perspectives and Limits of a Partnership". The conference was hosted by the Research Centre for Eurasian Studies (EURAS), the Austrian-Kazakh Society (ÖKG - Österreichisch-Kasachische Gesellschaft) and the Austrian-Belarusian Society (ÖWG - Österreichisch-Weißrussische Gesellschaft).
October 30, 2018
UN Day - The United Nations Celebrated the Day it all Began
UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.
October 25, 2018
China, the Rising Great Power of the 21st Century and the Austrians
At the Kreisky Forum, Austrian China experts (Schweisgut, Löw, Giner-Reichl, Witt-Löw) discussed the rising great power of the 21st century.
October 22, 2018
IST - Austria's Scientific Flagship Institute Enlarges Further
Since the opening of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) in 2009, a campus for the natural sciences, mathematics and computer sciences has been set up in Lower Austria, just outside Vienna, at considerable speed. The campus now provides a workplace for almost 700 employees as well as the necessary infrastructure for cutting-edge research at the highest level. The next steps in the development of the IST Austria Campus were initiated under the motto "Building a Campus for Science".
October 22, 2018
Khashoggi Case: Austria Increases Pressure on Saudi Arabia
The Austrian Foreign Ministry is now having the legal status of the controversial King Abdullah Centre (KAICIID) reviewed. The Centre has been criticised by representatives of civil society who are concerned with Saudi Arabia's poor human-rights record in fears that the KAICIID would in fact be misused by founding member and chief financier Saudi Arabia as a bridge-head for spreading Wahhabism in Austria and Europe.
October 22, 2018
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