Vienna's International Organizations, Missions & Institutes

Read the latest headlines about diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vienna and Austria

Ibizagate: New Book Proves Allegations Against Former Freedom Party Leader Strache

A secretly recorded video led to the fall of Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz Christian Strache and Deputy Leader of the Freedom Party Johann Gudenus in May. Now the journalists of the Süddeutsche Zeitung who took part in the unveiling describe what else could be seen on the Ibiza video and how Strache was tempted to behave corruptly.

August 22, 2019

Chinese Ambassador in Vienna Warns with China's Intervention in Hong Kong

Li Xiaosi, the Chinese ambassador in Austria, has repeated the demands known from Beijing in an interview in the Ö1-Mittagsjournal and threatened with an intervention by China in the continuing violent protests in Hong Kong.

August 20, 2019

Alignment of the Western Balkans with the EU: Slovenian Parliament President Met Sobotka

The President of the Slovenian Parliament Dejan Židan and the President of the Austrian National Council Wolfgang Sobotka met on the sidelines of the Salzburg Festival to discuss the rapprochement of the Western Balkans to the EU and the EU after the elections to the European Parliament.

August 20, 2019

European Commission: Changing of the Guard in Austria

Dr. Martin Selmayr takes over the position of Head of Representation in Austria from Dr. Jörg Wojahn as of 1 November 2019. Mr. Wojahn has been appointed as the new Head of the European Commission's Representation in Berlin.

August 13, 2019

Vienna International Centre Invites Expats and Locals for Anniversary Event

The United Nations headquarters in Vienna is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of international diplomacy. Come and see inside the VIC Vienna International Centre as part of its anniversary events.

August 13, 2019

Austrian Minister of the Interior: Observing Developments along the Western Balkans Route Closely

The Macedonian Ambassador Nenad Kolev and Interior Minister Wolfgang Peschorn met for a working discussion in Vienna. In addition to bilateral cooperation, the topic of migration, in particular the Western Balkans route, formed the agenda.

August 13, 2019

What Does Vienna Have in Common with the New Silk Road?

In order to ensure sustainable development, the cities along the New Silk Road also have to face major infrastructural and social challenges, as well as climate-ecological challenges. More than 1000 participants from more than 178 cities are expected in September in the Vienna International Center for UNIDO's Bridge for Cities Conference as part of the Belt & Road Initiative.

August 12, 2019

EU Appoints Austrian Dr. Johann Sattler as New Special Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Council of the European Union appointed Johann Sattler as EU Special Representative (EUSR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He will also take over the role of the Head of the European Union's Delegation in Sarajevo.

August 9, 2019

Vienna Museum on Tour in Japan

In the year of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Japanese Austrian relations, the Vienna Museum (Wien Museum) is moving from Tokyo to Osaka on its tour through Japan with its large-scale exhibition "Vienna on the Path to Modernism".

August 8, 2019

Head of the European Commission in Vienna Leaves for Berlin

The current head of the EC European Commission in Vienna, the German citizen Dr. Jörg Wojahn, will move back to Germany as Head of the European Commission's Representation in Berlin.

August 7, 2019

Meet the New Resident Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna

The new Resident Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna, HE Mr. Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, presented his credentials to Mary Alice Hayward, Acting Director General and Head of the Department of Management at the IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency. He also presented his credentials to Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov.

August 5, 2019

Southeastern Europe Remains Focus of Austrian Foreign and Security Policy

The Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kemal Kozaric, and Interior Minister Wolfgang Peschorn met for a working meeting in Vienna. Bilateral cooperation and migration were on the agenda.

August 1, 2019

U.S. Senate Confirms Kelly Craft as Ambassador to United Nations

The US senate has confirmed the 57 year old American businesswoman and diplomat Kelly Knight Craft as the next US ambassador to the UN United Nations. She will replace Nikki Haley who resigned last year.

August 1, 2019

Austria to Support Syria and Mali with EUR 2.5 Million

The Austrian Council of Ministers approved a total of 2.5 million euros in aid payments from the Foreign Disaster Fund for humanitarian aid in Mali and Syria. The money is intended for refugees in the two crisis areas.

July 31, 2019

Cultural Diplomacy: International Friendship Day Important for Preserving Peace

Causes of conflicts and crises worldwide are often cultural differences and misunderstandings between peoples. These threaten peace, security, development and social peace. After long efforts, this day was also proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2011. Vindobona.org, an intercultural portal that promotes international understanding and cultural exchange in the metropolis of Vienna, strongly supports Friendship Day.

July 30, 2019

Leena Srivastava Appointed IIASA Deputy Director General for Science

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) announces that Dr. Leena Srivastava, who has held the position of IIASA Distinguished Visiting Fellow since May, will be promoted to the position of IIASA Deputy Director General for Science as of November 15, 2019.

July 27, 2019

IAEA - Romanian Ambassador has been Designated Acting Director General

Ambassador Cornel Feruta of Romania, head-coordinator of the IAEA since 2013, has been responsible for coordinating the Agency's internal and external activities. As a consequence of the recent passing away of Director General Yukiya Amano, he has been designated Acting Director General at the IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency.

July 25, 2019

IAEA Member States Pay Tribute to Late Director General Yukiya Amano

During a Board of Governors meeting held at the IAEA headquarters, Member States paid their respects to Director General Yukiya Amano, who recently passed away. Delegations expressed deep sadness and a sense of great loss at his passing, commending Mr. Amano for his dedication and devotion to the work of the Agency and to the peaceful uses of nuclear technology for the benefit of people around the world.

July 25, 2019

Austrian Volker Türk Sworn In UN Deputy Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination

UN Secretary-General António Guterres swore in Austrian Volker Türk as Deputy Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination. The Australian Gillian Triggs succeeds him.

July 25, 2019

IAEA Nuclear Watchdog Chief Yukiya Amano Died at 72

The boss of the Vienna-based IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano is dead. The Japanese was 72 years old. The longtime Japanese diplomat held the IAEA's top job since December 2009. The cause of his death is unclear. According to IAEA, Amano passed away as a result of his illness. Amano’s death comes at a time of increasing concerns and escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.

July 22, 2019 · Updated: July 24, 2019; 13:00

UN Chief Guterres Voices Deep Sadness at Death of IAEA Chief Amano

UN chief António Guterres paid tribute, saying he was deeply saddened to hear the news of his death.

July 23, 2019

Austrian Top Diplomat Walter Siegl Deceased

The Austrian Foreign Ministry mourns the loss of retired Ambassador and former Political Director Walter Siegl.

July 19, 2019

Ursula von der Leyen Gets Johannes Hahn Proposed as Austrian EU Commissioner

Ursula von der Leyen was approved by the European Parliament as the next president of the European Commission. Her first, and very tricky, task is to assign jobs to the commissioners of each country. Johannes Hahn was again nominated by the main committee of the austrian parliament as the Austrian member of the next EU Commission.

July 19, 2019

Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from South Korea, South Africa, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Morocco and Sierra Leone

On July 10, 2019, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of South Korea, South Africa, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Morocco and Sierra Leone to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.

July 19, 2019

Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from the Holy See, Greece, Iraq, Thailand, Ecuador and Paraguay

On June 14, 2019, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of the Holy See, Greece, Iraq, Thailand, Ecuador and Paraguay to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.

June 21, 2019 · Updated: July 18, 2019; 11:00

France in Austria: National Day Celebration (Bastille Day)

At the invitation of Ambassador Saint-Paul, the Permanent Representative to the UN, Jean-Louis Falconi and the Permanent Representative to the OSCE, Véronique Roger-Lacan, a reception was held at the French Embassy in Vienna.

July 15, 2019

European Commissioner: Austria Sends Hahn for Third Time

The Austrian Federal Government under Chancellor Bierlein has announced that Johannes Hahn will again be nominated as an Austrian member of the future EU Commission.

July 12, 2019

Central European University Accredited as Private University in Vienna

The Austrian accreditation procedure for the CEU Central European University was successfully completed, so that the university can now start its operations in Vienna. Until now, the university was accredited in the USA and Hungary, the teaching took place exclusively in Hungary.

July 12, 2019

Vienna's City History: Red Vienna from 1919 to 1934

Vienna’s first free municipal election, held in May 1919, results in an absolute majority for the SPÖ - Social Democratic Party (at that time SDAPDÖ - Sozialdemokratische Arbeiterpartei Deutschösterreichs). A reform project commences. The goal is a far reaching democratization of society as well as the dramatic improvement of workers‘ living conditions. A revolutionary fiscal policy, built around a luxury tax, provides funding for the creation of over 60,000 apartments along with numerous social, leisure, and cultural facilities by 1934.

July 9, 2019

Lipizzaner Offspring Stars Visiting Vienna

The young mare herd from the Lipizzaner stud Piber can be seen in the baroque Winter Riding School of the Vienna Hofburg until the beginning of August.

July 9, 2019

Diplomats in Austria: How Does the Tax Exempt Purchase of Motor Vehicles Work?

New rules for the tax-exempt purchase of a motor vehicle from an Austrian car dealership concern the direct exemption from VAT and the normal consumption tax, which contributes to speeding up the tax relief.

July 9, 2019

Poznan Summit: Bringing Western Balkans Closer to EU Remains Priority

Chancellor Bierlein at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Poland. The sixth Western Balkans Conference as part of the Berlin Process, which brings together heads of government from several EU states and their counterparts from the Western Balkans, dealt with connectivity at all levels.

July 9, 2019

Austrian Federal Council Approves Reform of Party Financing

One day after the National Council passed its resolution, the new regulation on party financing also passed the Federal Council. The new rules already apply to the upcoming election campaign in summer and autumn 2019.

July 9, 2019

How North Macedonia Learns from Austria - Best Practices on the Topic of Equal Treatment

During a visit of the delegations of the Macedonian Ministry of the Interior and the OSCE Mission Skopje to the Federal Ministry of the Interior in Vienna, representatives of all sides exchanged views on the subject of equal treatment.

July 4, 2019

Total Ban on Glyphosate in Austria Adopted

Austria is the first country in the European Union to ban the use of the controversial weedkiller glyphosate. The ban is legally controversial and could contradict EU law.

July 4, 2019

Austria Looks Forward to Collaboration with New EU Parliament President Sassoli

Congratulations come from the Austrian Parliament. National Council President Sobotka and Second National Council President Bures congratulate David Sassoli on his election and look forward to working with the European Parliament.

July 4, 2019

Austrian Foreign Ministry - Diplomatic Excursion 2019 to Lake Neusiedl

Foreign diplomats and heads of international organisations in Austria were invited by the BMEIA Federal Ministry for Europe Integration and Foreign Affairs to the annual summer excursion to Burgenland (Diplomatenausflug 2019).

July 3, 2019

European Parliament - Karas to Be Vice President Again

Othmar Karas, member of the EU and Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), has been re-elected as one of 14 vice-presidents of the European Parliament. Together with him further vice-presidents were confirmed.

July 3, 2019

Schallenberg Represents Austria in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg travelled to Geneva on the occasion of the current meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Last year Austria was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2019 to 2021.

July 2, 2019

So What Does the Future Hold for the Eurozone?

The Eurozone between crisis and reform. At the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the renowned European financial experts Agnès Bénassy-Quéré, Klaus Regling, Elke König and Josef Zechner discussed the structure, challenges and necessary financial market reforms within the euro zone.

June 28, 2019

Uber Ridesharing Threatens to Retreat from Austria

The US transportation network company Uber wants to mobilise against the taxi and rental car reform in Austria with a petition. The new law would be a setback for Austria in several respects. If the new law is passed on 3 July, we will no longer be able to offer services such as UberX, according to a statement by Uber.

June 27, 2019

Improving Brazilian-Austrian Relations in Science and Research

A new scientific and technological cooperation agreement with Brazil aims to promote bilateral relations in the field of science and research.

June 27, 2019

46% Fewer Asylum Applications in Austria

13,375 asylum applications were received in Austria last year - 46% less than in 2017 (24,715). A total of 664,480 applications for international protection were filed in the EU (including Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein) in 2018. The number of asylum applications in Austria and the EU has thus declined for the third year in a row and has returned to pre-crisis levels.

June 27, 2019

Oligarch Firtash May Be Extradited to the USA

The Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash may be extradited from Austria to the USA. The Supreme Court of Justice of Austria (OGH) confirmed a corresponding ruling of the Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG) and dismissed both a nullity appeal of the General Procurator's Office and a renewal application by Firtash's defense counsel. The decision as to whether Firtash will actually be extradited lies now with the new Austrian Minister of Justice, Clemens Jabloner.

June 25, 2019

Strengthening Comprehensive Security in the OSCE Area

The OSCE’s Annual Security Review Conference in Vienna will discuss state of play of co-operation on comprehensive security in Europe and beyond.

June 25, 2019

Massive Slump in Austrian Exports to Iran

Trade between Iran and Austria is shrinking. Austrian exports to Iran fell by 11.1 % in 2018, as the Foreign Trade Centre Tehran of the Chamber of Commerce reported. In addition, a further decline is expected after the negative GDP growth in 2018/2019. In addition, there are fears of a further currency decline of the rial and rising inflation.

June 24, 2019

Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg at EU Foreign Affairs Council for the First Time

In Luxembourg, Federal Minister Alexander Schallenberg represented Austria for the first time at the FAC Foreign Affairs Council and the Council of the European Union.

June 21, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of the Holy See to Austria: H.E. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Dr. Pedro Lopéz Quintana

The new Ambassador of of the Holy See to Austria, H.E. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Dr. Pedro Lopéz Quintana presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

June 20, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay to Austria: H.E. Mr. Juan Francisco Facetti

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay to Austria, H.E. Mr. Juan Francisco Facetti presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

June 20, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Austria: H.E. Ms. Morakot Sriswasdi

The new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Austria, H.E. Ms. Morakot Sriswasdi presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

June 20, 2019