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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
Ambassador Martin Sajdik Becomes New OSCE Special Representative in Ukraine
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today appointed Ambassador Martin Sajdik (Austria) as his new Special Representative in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group. He follows Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini (Switzerland) who, having fulfilled this assignment for one year, expressed her wish to step down.
June 23, 2015
International Day of Yoga Celebrations in Vienna
The United Nations General Assembly last year declared 21st June as the International Day of Yoga. The resolution adopted by the General Assembly invites everyone to observe that day as the International Day of Yoga. Hence, the International Day of Yoga celebrations in Vienna took place at Votiv Park, in the heart of Vienna, where people participated in good numbers to perform the exercises as per the common yoga protocol.
June 21, 2015
"WeCooperate" Project Closes with Millions Mobilised
The OSCE project "WeCooperate" closes with millions mobilised to work together to achieve peace and security. Two months on the campaign is drawing to a close, having reached an audience of nearly three million people with the message that co-operation is the path to peace and security.
June 19, 2015
Conference on the Safety of Journalists to be Held in Vienna
The OSCE is hosting a conference on journalists’ safety and conflict reporting on 15-16 June in Vienna. The two-day event, “Journalists’ Safety, Media Freedom and Pluralism in Times of Conflict”, will bring together some 300 journalists, media experts, diplomats and key policy-makers from across the OSCE region to discuss and review the current situation relating to the safety of journalists reporting from conflicts.
June 12, 2015
Bilderberg 2015: Full List of All 133 Participants
The full list of all 133 attendees to the top secret Bilderberg Group conference 2015 has been released (see below). The Austrians participating are René Benko, Oscar Bronner, Heinz Fischer, Alfred Gusenbauer, Erich Hampel, Wolfgang Hesoun, Gerhard Roiss, Rudolf Scholten and Karl Sevelda.
June 12, 2015 · Updated: June 12, 2015; 17:45
The Bilderberg Group - Background and Criticism
The first Bilderberg conference dates back to May 1954, when it was held at the Hotel de Bilderberg in Oosterbeek, Netherlands. Partly because of its working methods to ensure strict privacy, the Bilderberg Group has been criticised for its lack of transparency and accountability.
June 11, 2015
Bilderberg 2015: The "World Government" Meets in Austria
A select group of global elite is gathering today at the Interalpen-Hotel Tyrol in Telfs-Buchen, Austria. The 63rd Bilderberg conference is a super secret annual conference where they can discuss politics, economics and foreign policy freely. A total of around 140 participants from 22 countries have confirmed their attendance at the Bilderberg conference 2015. As ever, a diverse group of political leaders and experts from industry and finance have been invited. This year the list includes nine Austrians. Key talking points on the agenda include the Ukrainian crisis, Greece, Middle East and Terrorism (see detailed list below). Security is tight - participants as well as protesters and journalists will have to deal with the Austrian anti terror squad "Cobra". After 1979 it's the second time that the conference takes place in Austria.
June 11, 2015 · Updated: June 11, 2015; 19:00
OPEC in Vienna Decides to Keep Production Unchanged
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) today hosted its 167th Meeting of the OPEC Conference at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna. Participants included OPEC Heads of Delegation and the Secretary General. There were some expectations that the production goal of 30 million barrels a day could move higher. However, the key issue the market was looking for will remain at 30 million barrels a day.
June 5, 2015
OPEC Member Countries Discuss Global Petroleum Development Strategies in Vienna
The 6th OPEC International Seminar, with the theme "Petroleum - An Engine for Global Development", aims to build on the previous events from the past decade. It is currently taking place at the Imperial Hofburg Palace in Vienna. The Seminar intends to underpin OPEC’s commitment to stabilize the international oil market by promoting cooperation and dialogue with stakeholders around the world.
June 3, 2015
Swedish Embassy in Vienna has New Premises
The Swedish Embassy/UN representation and the OSCE-delegation have moved to new premises with extensive entertainment facilities, Schwedenhaus Wien. This represents a new and unique concept which could be a model for how Sweden will be represented abroad in the future. As the Embassy also represents Sweden in Slovakia and Slovenia, Schwedenhaus Wien will have both a regional and multilateral (UN and OSCE) approach.
May 29, 2015
OSCE's Dunja Mijatović Lauds UN Security Council Resolution on Protection of Journalists
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović welcomed the UN Security Council’s passing today of Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists.
May 27, 2015
OSCE Troika Urges Advancement in Political Process Aimed at Solving Crisis in Ukraine
Foreign Ministers Dačić, Steinmeier and Burkhalter called for the immediate establishment of Working Groups as provided for in the February 12 Package of Measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements and proposed by Special Representative Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini and the Trilateral Contact Group.
April 28, 2015
OSCE: Strengthening Peace and Security Co-Operation Towards Democracy and Development
Representatives from the 57 OSCE participating States, civil society and international organizations will meet in Vienna tomorrow to open a two-day conference on the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, with an emphasis on association.
April 27, 2015
UNODC: Opening of Refugee Exhibition in Vienna Reinforces Need to Support Vulnerable Smuggled Migrants
An exhibition at the Vienna International Centre on the suffering of conflict refugees fleeing to Turkey offered an opportunity for UNODC to showcase its own ongoing activities against migrant smuggling as well as tackling other forms of organized crime, including money laundering.
April 17, 2015
OSCE Meeting in Vienna to Focus on Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association
Representatives from the 57 OSCE participating States, civil society and international organizations will meet in Vienna tomorrow to open a two-day conference on the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, with an emphasis on association.
April 15, 2015
Austria to Support China's "Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank"?
The Austrian Finance Ministry confirmed that Austria will participate in the China-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) project after receiving the appropriate approval from the government. Now it checks for a potential engagement. China is taking matters into its own hands. It will use the new bank to expand its influence at the expense of America and Japan. Its decision to fund a new multilateral bank reflects its frustration with the slow pace of global economic governance reform. China is the biggest economy in Asia, but the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is still dominated by the Japanese: Japan’s voting share is twice China’s and the ADB’s president has always been Japanese. Also, reforms to give China more say at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been delayed for years.
March 27, 2015
People in the News: UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov
Yuri Viktorovich Fedotov (born 1947) is a high level diplomat of the Russian Federation. Since 2010 he has served as the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna with the rank of Under-Secretary-General, after having previously served as the Ambassador of Russia to the United Kingdom.
March 27, 2015
Background: The New "Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank"
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is regarded by some as a rival for the IMF, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which are regarded as dominated by developed countries like the United States. AIIB is an international financial institution proposed by the government of China. The purpose of the multilateral development bank is to provide finance to infrastructure projects in the Asia region. Austria recently said, that it is "positive" and that it "now checks for a potential engagement".
March 27, 2015
International Jihadism Conference in Vienna: "Tackling Jihadism Together"
Ministers from Austria, the Western Balkans & Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos gathered in Vienna to tackle Jihadism. Austrian FM Kurz: "Tackling Jihadism is an urgent task for all of us - we're in this together!" Avramopoulos: "Need to transform common will into common action".
March 20, 2015
People in the News: OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier
Lamberto Zannier (born in 15 June 1954, Fagagna) is an Italian diplomat who currently serves as Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna.
March 20, 2015
OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug to Visit Vienna
The Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, Alexander Hug, will visit Vienna, Austria, on 5-6 March.
March 5, 2015
OSCE Chief Observer at the Russian Checkpoints to Visit Headquarter in Vienna
Paul Picard, Chief OSCE Observer at the Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk will address the OSCE Permanent Council. He will report on the situation including movements across the Russian-Ukrainian border at the Russian checkpoints at Gukovo and Donetsk.
February 25, 2015
Former Ambassador Aliyev is Dead: Lawyers Doubt Suicide
Rakhat Aliyev, the former son-in-law of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, is supposed to have hanged himself in his cell. Aliyev sat in Vienna-Josefstadt in custody for allegedly killing two bankers in his homeland Kazakhstan. Today he would have to testify against alleged blackmailers.
February 24, 2015
Holocaust Memorial Day: "European Jews again feeling anxious and uncertain about their future"
As people across the OSCE region commemorated the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, officials highlighted the importance for societies to stand firmly against the contemporary challenges of anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of intolerance.
January 28, 2015
Vienna as a Business Location - The City at a Glance
Vienna combines tradition, culture and quality of life with the factors of a top business location in a unique way. A stable political and economic environment, a research and technology-friendly climate, geographical and cultural proximity to the growth markets in the east and, not least, the highest quality of life in the world provide for a place at the very top of the world’s rankings.
January 27, 2015
OSCE Permanent Council Prepares for Upcoming International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Holocaust remembrance was the focus of today's meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council at Vienna's Hofburg in light of the upcoming International Holocaust Remembrance Day (27 January).
January 22, 2015
Vienna as a Business Location - Areas of Strength
Vienna combines tradition, culture and quality of life with the factors of a top business location in a unique way. A stable political and economic environment, a research and technology-friendly climate, geographical and cultural proximity to the growth markets in the east and, not least, the highest quality of life in the world provide for a place at the very top of the world’s rankings.
January 22, 2015
Ivica Dačić in Vienna: Serbia Takes Over OSCE Chairmanship from Switzerland
The new OSCE Chairperson, Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, spoke today at the inaugural Permanent Council meeting of Serbia's OSCE Chairmanship Vienna. He revealed his Chairmanship priorities pledging to rebuild trust and confidence in the OSCE region of 57 participating states.
January 15, 2015
Secretary of State John Kerry at the OSCE Ministerial Plenary Session
"It is not our design or desire that we see a Russia isolated through its own actions. In fact, we are convinced that Moscow could rebuild trust and relationships if it simply helps to calm turbulent waters, if it takes steps now to implement the Minsk protocol."
December 5, 2014
Human Trafficking: Ban Ki-moon Attendes UN Trust Fund for Victims Event in Vienna
The UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons received a US$ 250,000 boost in donations from the private sector at a fund-raising event in Vienna, attended by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. Proceeds from the event will go directly to grassroots organizations that rescue, shelter and reintegrate victims into society.
November 7, 2014
UN's Lakshmi Puri on Enhancing Women's Share in Peace and Security: "This is a historic moment!"
At the Austrian Parliament a high-level panel of international politicians and prominent activists have discussed significant achievements and major obstacles in the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda. The speakers included Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, Ursula Plassnik, former Austrian Foreign Minister, Lakshmi Puri, the Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, May Chidiac of the Chidiac Foundation and Hanan Ashrawi, PLO Executive Committee Member.
November 4, 2014
OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Starts the Use of Austrian Drones
The OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) today completed the maiden flight of its unarmed/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) before members of the media near Mariupol in eastern Ukraine. The OSCE will use unmanned and unarmed drones for the monitoring of the border between Ukraine and Russia.
October 23, 2014
Speech by Austrian Foreign Minister Kurz at the UN General Assembly
Following is the recent speech by Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz on the occasion of the 69th UN General Assembly. Vindobona believes that this is a brilliant speech, which shows how a neutral country like Austria can make a constructive contribution to the solution of pressing international challenges.
October 17, 2014
UN Vienna: Celebrations of the International Day of Non-Violence
The Permanent Mission of India in Vienna celebrated the International Day of Non-Violence and the 145th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the Rotunda at United Nations, Vienna International Centre. DG UNOV, H.E. Mr. Yuri Fedotov, DG UNIDO, H.E. Mr. Li Yong, Permanent Representatives of various countries and officials of the UN Vienna were present at the event.
October 16, 2014
The United Nations Celebrate 35 Years in Vienna
The United Nations moved into the VIC Vienna International Centre 35 years ago. The VIC was officially opened on 23 August 1979 when it was handed over to the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Commonly known locally as 'UNO City', it has been rented to the organizations for 99 years at a symbolic rate of 1 Austrian schilling (7 euro cents) annually.
August 11, 2014
Faymann Does Not Rule Out Economic Sanctions Against Russia
Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann wants to avoid further conflicts with Russia and to put effort into diplomacy instead. Economic sanctions are no taboo, though.
March 24, 2014
Conference on Combating Human Trafficking
Joint Council of Europe – OSCE high-level conference on combating human trafficking, 17-18 February at Hofburg, Vienna.
February 18, 2014
Austria: Fischer Calls Upon Respect of Human Rights
At the New Year Reception for the diplomatic corps in Austria, President Heinz Fischer called upon the strict compliance to human rights.
January 20, 2014
Austrian Appointed Head of the OSCE in Albania
Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs congratulates Ambassador Raunig on his appointment as head of the OSCE Presence in Albania.
July 22, 2013
US: Kerry Announced Support of Ukraine’s EU Integration
US Secretary of State John Kerry announced his support for Ukraine’s move towards an EU membership.
May 13, 2013
Ukraine and Ireland to Sign Double Tax Agreement
Ukraine and Ireland signed a Double Tax Agreement in Kyiv during the official visit of Irish Minister of State at the Department of Finance Brian Hayes.
April 24, 2013
"Foreign policy means security policy"
Vice-Chancellor explains Austria's foreign policy commitment in his annual address at the UNA-Austria and demands global nuclear disarmament.
November 28, 2012
Austria Promotes Political Cooperation in Black Sea Region
Conference in Tbilisi discusses issues of management of institutional administration and rule of law.
June 11, 2012
Production Quota of OPEC Remains Stable
There was consensus in the Vienna-based OPEC. Members show their satisfaction with the current situation.
October 15, 2010
Austria attracts World Bank
Austria has concluded agreements for an official residence of the World Bank Group. It provides privileges similar to those of diplomats for employees of the international organization.
July 22, 2010
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