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Vienna's International Organizations, Missions & Institutes
Read the latest headlines about diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vienna and Austria
Foreign Minister of Albania Gent Cakaj Visits Vienna
Austria emphasises its continued support for the commencement of EU accession negotiations with Albania.
April 26, 2019
Exclusive Mini-Davos Conference in Austria's Most Beautiful Ski Resort
European Commissioner Günther Oettinger invited for two days leading politicians, bankers and industrialists to his Europe Forum 2019 in Lech am Arlberg in the Austrian Alps.
April 26, 2019
Former Finance Minister Schelling to Be Appointed to OMV Supervisory Board
Former ÖVP finance minister Hans Jörg Schelling is to move into the supervisory board of the partly state-owned OMV. Various media report that this is being done at the request of senior government officials.
April 25, 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
Vienna's Jewish Square and Europe
The US historian Timothy Snyder will give a lecture on the topic "Judenplatz 1010 - A speech to Europe 2019". The place and time chosen for the lecture are no coincidence: European history is presented at Vienna’s Judenplatz like in no other place.
April 18, 2019
The Elegance and Tradition of a Japanese Samurai Family
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Japanese-Austrian relations, the World Museum Vienna is dedicating an exhibition to the prominent Hosokawa Samura family.
April 11, 2019
Organized International Cum-Ex Tax Fraud in Austria - 183 Million Euros Damage
In connection with dividend stripping, the tax fraud model "Cum-Ex" was created, which deliberately allows the multiple refund of capital gains tax paid only once. According to a report in today's Ö1-Morgenjournal, presumably mainly Arab investors, in cooperation with domestic financial advisors and banks, caused Austrian taxpayers a loss of 183 million euros.
April 9, 2019
Austria Welcomes 6 New Ambassadors from Armenia, Mali, Namibia, North Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago and Turkey
On March 19, 2019, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed six newly accredited Ambassadors to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.
March 20, 2019 · Updated: April 8, 2019; 12:00
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Mali to Austria: H.E. Ms. Oumou Sall-Seck
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Mali (République du Mali) to Austria, H.E. Ms. Oumou Sall-Seck presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
March 20, 2019 · Updated: April 8, 2019; 11:00
New Working Holiday Program Enables Young Argentinians to Experience Living in Austria
Austria includes the largest Spanish-speaking nation, Argentina, in its range of working holiday programmes, so that in the future young people between 18 and 30 years of age from both countries will be able to travel more easily to the other country and gain new valuable experience on the labour market during a given period.
April 5, 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
Congress Tourism in Vienna Continues to Boom
Vienna as a congress destination is booming. Last year, the metropolis achieved record figures for conference participants and added value. Around 631,000 participants (plus three percent) attended 4,685 congresses and company events (plus 15 percent), which resulted in 1,925,000 overnight stays (plus three percent). A single congress participant spends 541 euros per day.
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
Economic Mission to Cambodia and Laos
The Vienna Chamber of Commerce visited the Southeast Asian countries Cambodia and Laos in the context of an economic mission with 15 participants to meet ministers and establish contacts for future participation in tenders for infrastructure projects.
April 4, 2019
Rotes Wien 1919-2019: 100 Years of Socialist Avant-Garde and Quality of Life
The socialist and later social democratic Vienna celebrates its success story in the form of a series of events, exhibitions and specials. The city administration sees the period of the "Red Vienna" (from 1918 to 1934) as a founding myth that continues to have an impact to this day and shapes the DNA of the city, and is comparable to New York City as a melting pot and Ellis Island.
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
Former Top Indian Diplomat Returns to Vienna
Shivshankar Menon, former Foreign Secretary and National Security Adviser of India, who speaks some German, will visit Vienna in April, where he regularly visited the IAEA from 2008 to 2014, as a member of India's Atomic Energy Commission. At a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are particularly high, he will talk about "The New Asian Geopolitics".
March 28, 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
Austria to Become Most Sustainable Tourism Destination in the World
Sustainability Minister Elisabeth Köstinger presented the "Plan T - Master Plan for Tourism" in Salzburg. This strategy paper is intended to ensure that Austria not only remains one of the leading tourist destinations, but that this position is further strengthened. For the first time sustainability is anchored as a basic principle for tourism. The strategic realignment of Österreich Werbung (ANTO Austrian National Tourist Office) is also on the agenda.
March 26, 2019
Vienna-Campus of Central European University to be Temporarily Set Up in Southern Vienna
The CEU Central European University of George Soros announces that it has opted for an interim location in Vienna's Favoriten, the "heart of the multicultural 10th district". This campus is scheduled to start operations in autumn 2019. By 2023, the university will be moved as planned to the premises of the Otto Wagner Hospital on Baumgartner Höhe in Vienna's 14th municipal district.
March 22, 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
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to Austria: H.E. Ms. Makeda Antoine
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to Austria, H.E. Ms. Makeda Antoine presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
March 20, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia to Austria: H.E. Ms. Nada Kruger
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Namibia to Austria, H.E. Ms. Nada Kruger presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
March 19, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to Austria: H.E. Mr. Nenad Kolev
The new Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Nenad Kolev presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
March 19, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Austria: H.E. Mr. Ümit Yardim
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Austria, H.E. Mr. Ümit Yardim presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
March 19, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Austria: H.E. Mr. Armen Papikyan
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Armen Papikyan presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
March 19, 2019
Viennese Merchants' Guild Prepares for Chinese Century
Something is happening in the Viennese school system. The VBS Vienna Business School will offer its students the opportunity to learn Chinese (Mandarin) at all six school locations from autumn onwards and to take advantage of an extensive range of Chinese language and culture courses.
March 18, 2019
Evo Morales in Vienna to Present Bolivia's Anti-Drug Policy
Bolivian President Morales took part in the annual meeting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs at the Vienna International Center and was in Vienna on this occasion. He also met Federal President Alexander van der Bellen.
March 14, 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
Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj Met Karin Kneissl
Karin Kneissl, Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs accompanied by senior officials of her Ministry recently visited India. The visit of Minister Kneissl is part of the regular exchange between the two countries. During the visit, Minister Kneissl had a meeting with External Affairs Minister, Smt Sushma Swaraj, in New Delhi.
March 7, 2019
Una Notte Italiana at the Concordia Ball 2019
The Concordia Ball, the most important ball held annually at Vienna City Hall, will take place on Friday, 14 June 2019 under the motto "Una Notte Italiana". If you have always dreamed of elegantly waltzing through a festively decorated ballroom, look no further! Grab your dancing shoes, dress in your best gown and enjoy a stunning experience in the home town of the Waltz!
March 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
Huawei Austria Sponsors Austrian Chinese Business Association
The Chinese technology group Huawei and the ACBA Austrian Chinese Business Association have sealed their cooperation at an evening event entitled "Huawei - Inside & Outside" at the Grand Hotel Vienna. Huawei is disputed internationally because of its 5G wireless network technology and its close connection to the Chinese government. Huawei maintains good business relations with the largest carriers in Austria, A1 Telekom Austria (America Movil), Hutchison Whampoa (Drei Austria) and T-Mobile Austria and supplies them with expensive 5G network equipment. In addition, Huawei will open its first flagship store outside China in downtown Vienna in the summer of 2019.
February 27, 2019
Saudi Arabia Closes Controversial Private School in Vienna
Saudi Arabia closes the controversial Saudi School Vienna in Vienna's Landstrasse district. The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Vienna sees "better" opportunities for integration into the local community by visiting other schools in Vienna.
February 27, 2019
Kneissl in the Eastern South Asia Countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal
Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl's journey through Eastern South Asia took her via Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan to India. The trip focused on bilateral relations between Austria and the individual countries, development cooperation and the expansion of economic activities in the fields of tourism, energy and infrastructure.
February 26, 2019
Official Visit of President of Hungary - Criticism of Expansion of Paks Nuclear Power Plant
President János Áder of Hungary paid an official visit to Austria. The main topic of discussion between Áder and Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen was climate protection.
February 25, 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
Fight Against Anti-Semitism - The Jewish Community in NYC and Austria
As part of his trip to the USA, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met David Harris, Executive Director of the AJC American Jewish Committee, and once again Holocaust survivor Rabbi Arthur Schneier.
February 21, 2019
Meet the Ambassador of China to Austria: H.E. Li Xiaosi
Ambassador Li Xiaosi (李晓驷) has been Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Austria since 2016. He has been a career diplomat since 1985 with previous oversees posts in Germany and Switzerland. He speaks Mandarin, German and English.
February 20, 2019
Meet the Ambassador of Ukraine to Austria: H.E. Dr. Olexander Scherba
Ambassador Dr. Olexander Scherba has been Ambassador of Ukraine in Austria since November 2014. He has been a career diplomat since 1995 with oversees posts in Germany and the US. Besides Ukrainian and Russian, he speaks German and English.
February 12, 2019
Olexander Scherba - ORF Foreign Correspondent Wehrschütz has Violated Sovereignty of Ukraine
In the case of the controversial Ukraine correspondent of the ORF, Christian Wehrschütz, the Ukrainian ambassador in Vienna, H.E. Dr. Olexander Scherba, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, announced in a written statement that the accreditation in the war zone of Ukraine was "unlikely". The reason is still the "illegal" crossing (documentary filming) of the Crimean bridge which was illegally built by the Russian side.
February 12, 2019
Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Vienna, Austria
Updated address and contact details of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Vienna, Austria (中华人民共和国驻奥地利共和国大使馆 / Botschaft der Volksrepublik China in der Republik Österreich), including Political Section, Economic and Commercial Section, Culture Section, Science and Technology Section, Office of the Defence Attaché, Consular Section, Protocol and Administrative Section and the Section of Education.
February 8, 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
Founder of Global Peter Drucker Forum Honored as Excellent Management-Ambassador
Dr. Richard Straub, who resides in Paris for more than two decades, received the Grand Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (Große Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich) at the Austrian Embassy in Paris.
February 5, 2019
The End of the INF Treaty - Europe Could Become a Nuclear War Zone
In an interview with the APA - Austria Press Agency the political scientist and disarmament expert Heinz Gärtner recently stated that the background of the US termination of the INF Treaty on the Prohibition of Medium-Range Nuclear Weapons might be the expansion of the deterrence potential and that Europe could thus become the target area of a nuclear conflict. At a panel discussion organized by the International Institute for Peace (IIP) on 11 February 2019, Heinz Gärtner, together with representatives of the United States and the Russian Federation, will examine the background of this issue.
February 5, 2019
Visit to the Palestinian Territories: Austria's Van der Bellen for a Two-State Solution
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah: "We are friends of Israel AND of the Palestinians. We want to deepen relations with both sides". Mahmoud Abbas thanked Austria for the "historical relationships" cultivated since Bruno Kreisky.
February 5, 2019
Israel State Visit: "Austria is jointly responsible for the Shoah"
During his state visit to Israel, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen emphasised Austria's co-responsibility for the Shoah. In the Holocaust memorial Jad Vaschem Van der Bellen bowed before the Jewish victims of National Socialism. Meanwhile, as expected, there is no lifting of the boycott against Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl or members of the Freedom Party's cabinet.
February 4, 2019
What Does the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement Mean for Austria?
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs has calculated that the savings potential through the elimination of customs duties amounts to around one billion euros across the EU and to around EUR 34 million for Austria. For Austria this means a rather modest growth effect of 0.011 percent of GDP.
February 4, 2019
EU-Japan Agreement Secures EUR 34 Million in Jobs and Prosperity in Austria
The EU's Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan entered into force on 1 February 2019. For Austria, Japan is by far the second most important market in Asia and the third most important overseas trading partner. About 1000 Austrian exporters are active in Japan, 80 companies have local branches. In 2017 the trade volume reached an all-time high of 3.5 billion euros.
February 4, 2019