Latest Headlines about International Organizations and UN Bodies

Read the latest headlines about developments at international organizations and the United Nations family in Vienna and Austria

Swiss Twannberg Meteorite at Natural History Museum Vienna

On the occasion of the official visit of the Swiss President of the Council of States Hans Stöckli to Austria, a piece of the Twannberg meteorite was handed over to the Natural History Museum Vienna. The piece that is estimated to be more than 150,000 years old can now be viewed in the Meteorite Hall of the museum.

October 7, 2020

Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Met Austrian Counterpart

The Swedish and Austrian Minister for EU Affairs have come together to discuss current EU topics which included migration policy, the joint fight against Covid-19 and recent developments between Great Britain and the EU regarding Brexit.

October 7, 2020

Foreign Ministry Announces First Special Representative for Humanitarian Aid

Austria's first-ever Special Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid will be appointed by the Foreign Ministry in order to assure the proper coordination of humanitarian aid projects. Effective allocation of funds which amount to EUR 50 million will also be part of the duties of Mr. Christoph Schweifer.

October 6, 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

75th UN General Assembly: Schallenberg Denounces Nuclear Weapons

Foreign Minister Schallenberg emphasizes at the 75th UN General Assembly that nuclear weapons pose a constant threat, while there are no advantages on the other side of the coin. He also advertises for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TNPW), which has already been signed by 84 countries.

October 2, 2020

Launch of the European Month for Cyber Security 2020

A joint information campaign of Europol and its partners will once again host the European Month for Cyber Security. This event should help the prevention of cyber crime by raising awareness and providing information to individuals and organizations.

October 2, 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

EU Special Summit Deals with Foreign Policy Issues

The EU government heads have come together to discuss foreign policy issues in Brussels. Chancellor Kurz is representing Austria at the meeting and has already met with Council President Michel, EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Borrell and Commission President von der Leyen.

October 1, 2020

European Commission Publishes First Report on Rule of Law

The European Commission has published its first report on the rule of law among member countries. Although the European Union requires high standards, there are still some procedures that need revision in order to assure independency and proper democratic systems. Even Austria has some catching up to do.

October 1, 2020

UNESCO Honors Vienna with "Smart City" Award

The city of Vienna was recognized by UNESCO fo its "innovative, intelligent, networked and explicitly sustainable" housing policy. Besides Vienna, other cities, such as Shenzhen (China), Dakar (Senegal) and Singarpore, have received other awards.

September 30, 2020

Vienna International Centre - Coronavirus Situation: Historical Developments Between March 12 and September 30, 2020

The Vienna International Centre (VIC, UNO City) is reporting new positive COVID-19 cases. Following you have the historical developments between March 12, 2020 and September 30, 2020, as reported by the four main Vienna-based United Nations organizations (United Nations Office at Vienna/UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN Industrial Development Organization and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization), as announced by UNIS.

March 12, 2020 · Updated: September 30, 2020; 00:00

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

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

International Day for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons: Kurz and Schallenberg Issue Statement

On the international day for the complete abolition of nuclear weapons, Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Schallenberg stated that nuclear weapons bring death and suffering rather than security and peace.

September 28, 2020

75th Anniversary of the UN: Schallenberg Addresses Member Countries

The 75th anniversary of the United Nations is used as a year of reflection for the UN member countries. Nevertheless, current topics and outlooks into the future are dominating the General Assembly at which Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg also delivered his virtual speech.

September 28, 2020

Global Nuclear Regulatory Agency Appoints 11 New Members to Board of Governors

The IAEA reports, that eleven countries have been newly elected to serve on the 35-member Board of Governors for the period 2020-2022.

September 26, 2020

European Capital of Innovation Award: Vienna Recognized as Runner-up

The Belgium city of Leuven was awarded the European Capital of Innovation Award 2020. Vienna, which was still in the race up until the final round, was recognized as runner-up city together with Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Espoo (Finland), Helsingborg (Sweden), and Valencia (Spain).

September 25, 2020

Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) Presents his Credentials

Abat Fayzullaev, the new Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), presented his credentials to the Director-General of UNOV, Ms. Ghada Waly.

September 25, 2020

EU eGovernment Benchmark 2020: Austria in Top 3

New services on oesterreich.gv.at and the "Digitales Amt" app are having an effect - Austria is one of the top nations in the Europe-wide comparison. Only Malta and Estonia received better results in this year's EU eGovernment Benchmark.

September 24, 2020

UNWG Not to Hold the International Bazaar 2020

The UNWG Bazaar 2020, the most important charity event for the United Nations Women's Guild, which was scheduled for Saturday, November 28, has been cancelled due to Corona. It's an amazing festival, to share cultures in the form of a market place where everyone can experience the sensation to help the children of the entire world.

September 24, 2020

Video Message by Kurz on the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations

Federal Chancellor Kurz has submitted a video message to the United Nations in which he emphasized Austria's commitment to international cooperation. He also praised UN's achievements, such as the human rights system and the Agenda 2030.

September 22, 2020

European Commission Approves Further EUR 4 Billion for Austrian Companies

Further EUR 4 billion intended to help Austrian companies sustain the Covid-19 crisis were approved by the European Commission. Grants and guarantees of up to EUR 800,000 per company can be given out in cases of hardship and danger of bankruptcy.

September 22, 2020

Schallenberg at Council of EU Foreign Ministers

The EU Foreign Ministers met in Brussels to discuss current issues such as developments in Belarus and Libya. Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg demands a "strong signal" from the EU towards the Belarusian government.

September 22, 2020

European Capital of Democracy Coming Soon

The newly formed initiative "European Capital of Democracy" will try to give civilization more access to democracy by supporting activities and events that aim to improve and strengthen democracy. The first capital will be selected next year.

September 21, 2020

Vienna Aims for Champions League of International Start-Up Scene

The start-up event ViennaUP'21 will be at the center of the international start-up scene in the spring of 2021. Many well-known formats have already assured their participation and will move the spotlight to Vienna from April 27 to May 12 2021.

September 21, 2020

Permanent Representative of Latvia to the International Organizations in Vienna Presents Credentials

The new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to the United Nations, the OSCE and other International Organizations, Katrīna Kaktiņa presented her credentials to the Director-General of the UN Office in Vienna (UNOV) and Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

September 18, 2020

Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) Presents her Credentials

Esther Monterrubio Villar, the new Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), presented her credentials to the Director-General of UNOV, Ms. Ghada Waly.

September 18, 2020

New Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) Presents his Credentials

The new Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations (Vienna), Mohamed H. El-Molla, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly.

September 17, 2020

Austrian World Summit 2020 Was a Success

The Austrian World Summit 2020 was held in a mixture of analog and digital setting due to Covid-19, yet starred international personalities that all highlighted the importance of sustainability and the fight against climate change.

September 17, 2020

Anniversary Exhibition "Vienna International Center"

The City of Vienna dedicates an entire exhibition in the Vienna City Hall to the over 40th anniversary of the Vienna International Center. The exhibition can be seen until October 30.

September 16, 2020

International Day of Democracy: Collection of Initiatives for Promoting Democracy

The IPU in cooperation with the Austrian parliament has issued a report that comprises best-practice examples of how countries promote democracy among the population, especially among the youth and young adults.

September 15, 2020

Meet the New Bangladeshi Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna

HE Muhammad Abdul Muhith, the new Ambassador of Bangladesh to Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia, and the new Permanent Representative to the United Nations and to the International Organizations in Vienna recently presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly and to Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of CTBTO PrepCom - Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.

September 15, 2020

European Capital of Innovation Award: Vienna Still in the Race

The European Union will announce the European Capital of Innovation 2020 and will award EUR 1,000,000 to support innovation at the end of September 2020. Vienna is among the six finalists which also include Valencia, Helsingborg, Espoo, Cluj-Napoca, and Leuven.

September 14, 2020

Elite Research Institute "IST Austria" on the Right Track

The current, third review of "IST Austria - Institute of Science and Technology Austria", covering the period 2016-2019, focused on the scientific achievements as well as the general development and hiring strategy of the Institute, its research portfolio, the graduate school, the scientific and administrative support structures, efforts in technology transfer and science education, as well as its internal organization and plans for the future. The evaluation acknowledges accomplishments so far and recommends long term commitment.

September 11, 2020

New Permanent Representative of Belarus to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) Presents his Credentials

Andrei Dapkiunas, the new Permanent Representative of Balarus to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), today presented his credentials to the Director-General of UNOV, Ms. Ghada Waly.

September 11, 2020

New Permanent Representative of Guinea to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) Presents his Credentials

Arafan Kabinè Kaba, the new Permanent Representative of Guinea to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), today presented his credentials to the Director-General of UNOV, Ms. Ghada Waly.

September 10, 2020

Slovak-3 Summit with Matovič, Babiš, and Kurz

The Slovak-3 Summit with the highest officials from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Austria took place in Vienna. The topics comprised cooperation in the fight against the pandemic and the overall relations between the three neighboring countries.

September 10, 2020

Eurogroup President Donohoe Met Blümel

New Eurogroup President Donohoe and Austrian Finance Minister Blümel met at a round table discussion on "Europe's Comeback". Topics were the strength of a common currency union and strategies on how to achieve the economic comeback.

September 9, 2020

EU Puts a Hold on Austria's Fixed Cost Subsidies

The European Commission has questioned Austria's newly introduced fixed cost subsidy to the surprise of many Austrian politicians and experts. Companies in the sectors tourism and export were predominantly planned to be subsidized.

September 9, 2020

Cooperation Between Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Laxenburg Research Institute IIASA

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has joined IIASA as a prospective member through the Royal Scientific Society of Jordan. The two potential partners are testing a two-year trial membership.

September 9, 2020

Nehammer: Do Everything To Protect Jewish Life

Minister of the Interior Nehammer visited the synagogue on David-Herzog-Platz in Graz together and highlighted the importance of the protection and promotion of Jewish life in Austria.

September 4, 2020

EU Supports Young Researchers with EUR 677 Million

The European Commission is providing a total of EUR 677 million to over 400 recipients of a "Starting Grant" from the European Research Council. Eleven of the selected junior researchers are conducting research at Austrian institutions.

September 4, 2020

Climate and Energy Goals: Additional Measures Will Be Needed for Austria

Austria's Ministry for Climate Protection recognizes the need for additional protective measures in order to meet the climate targets established by the European Union. An increases of investments in sustainable ideas is demanded.

September 3, 2020

Austrian Technology Company Kapsch Will Cut Around 400 Jobs

Vienna-based company Kapsch is likely to cut about 400 jobs globally in the near future. The company has commenced a transformation program that will allow it to be successful in the future.

September 3, 2020

Dombrovskis in Alpbach: Economy Must Serve All People

Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Dombrovskis highlights the importance of the young generation in rebuilding the economy after Covid-19. Unemployment needs to be tackled and sustainability and digital innovation will be supported.

September 2, 2020

Higher Unemployment Rate in Euro Zone, Decreasing Numbers in Austria

Even though many EU Member States have loosened Covid-19 containment measures, unemployment increased once again in the euro zone. Austria's rate decreased slightly from June to July 2020.

September 2, 2020

Edtstadler: Six New EU Member Countries in the Next Decade

Hungarian Minister Varga and Austria's Minister for the EU Edtstadler took part in a discussion at the European Forum Alpbach that dealt with the presence and future of the European Union. Edtstadler is optimistic that the EU will grow by six member states in the next 10 years.

September 1, 2020

Schallenberg: "The EU Has Reached a Turning Point in the Relations With Turkey"

Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg explains the current relationship between the European Union and Turkey. The recent developments in the easter Mediterranean are testing the relation once again.

September 1, 2020

Economic Sentiment in Austria and the EU Brightened Further in August

Businesses and the population of the EU still have below-average economic sentiment although the expectations improved over the last month. The sharp decline due to Covid-19 is made up by about 60 % already.

August 31, 2020

National Council President Sobotka Met Slovak and Czech Counterparts, Kollár and Vondráček

Austria's National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka invited his Slovak and Czech counterparts, Boris Kollár and Radek Vondráček, to discuss the cooperation between the three neighboring countries and other political issues.

August 31, 2020