Vienna's International Organizations, Missions & Institutes

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

Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka Presents Credentials to the United Nations Office at Vienna

The new Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations (Vienna), Majintha Jayesinghe, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).

August 25, 2020

Criticism of SPÖ Officials Concerning Belarus

TV appearances in the Belarus state TV of two Austrians with close boundaries to the SPÖ led to an immense wave of criticism. One claims that the news coverage in Belarus is too European friendly. The other repeats a main propaganda message from Lukashenko's party.

August 25, 2020

Islamic Motivated Offender Attacked Synagogue

Yesterday a press conference was held concerning the attack of a synagogue and the president of the Jewish community in Graz. The attacker was identified as a Syrian citizen with an Islamic motive. In the upcoming weeks, synagogues in Austria will be protected by police officers.

August 25, 2020

Federal Minister Edtstadler: "We Must Protect and Promote Jewish Life Throughout Europe!"

After the recent attacks on the President of the Jewish Communities in Graz, Federal Minister Edtstadler made clear that Jewish life in Austria needs to be protected and promoted by any means.

August 24, 2020

IPU World Conference: National Council President Sobotka Highlights Importance of International Cooperation

The 5th IPU World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, originally planned on being conducted in Vienna, was held virtually from August 19 to August 20. Austrian National Council President Sobotka as well as the majority of the representatives underlined the importance of international cooperation.

August 21, 2020

Bottleneck for Influenza Vaccine Is Expected

This year the higher demand in Influenza Vaccine is causing a bottleneck and not everyone who wants to get vaccinated will be. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, Austrians are more aware of the importance of a vaccine.

August 20, 2020

Chancellor Kurz Criticizes Current Situation in Belarus

Chancellor Kurz and the majority of the European Union are criticizing the recent developments in Belarus and call for action. Free and fair elections and an end to the violence against protestors are among the demands.

August 20, 2020

Austrian Universities Should Use Traffic Light System as Orientation

Minister Faßmann presented a COVID-19 orientated traffic light system for universities to provide them with recommendations on how to react on rising Coronavirus cases. It is comparable to the system which will be implemented in schools.

August 20, 2020

Austria Introduces Travel Warning for Balearics

The government announced a travel warning for the Balearics and therefore reacts on the increasing number of Corona infected returners. The travel warning is valid since Monday, August 24 onwards and a negative PCR-test or a home quarantine is necessary to enter Austria.

August 19, 2020 · Updated: August 19, 2020; 18:37

Austrian Assistance to Palestinian Refugees with EUR 8.1 Million

Over the period 2020 to 2022, Austria will pay a total of EUR 8.1 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

August 19, 2020

Austrian Government Provides Humanitarian Assistance for Lebanon

Austria provides supplies and financial aid for severely impacted Lebanon after explosion disaster at the beginning of August. In total, about EUR 2 million are provided.

August 19, 2020

Molecular Immunologist Penninger and AACC Discuss Potential Research Cooperations with Arab Countries

The Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce in Vienna welcomed prominent researcher and molecular immunologist Prof. Josef Penninger for cooperative talks on the subject of establishing modern and state-of-the-art research centers and scientific units in Arab countries.

August 19, 2020

New Timetable for European Capitals of Culture

The Covid-19 pandemic also affects the timetable for the European Capitals of Culture. Postponements and extensions are made in order to guarantee proper planning for the selected cities. In 2024, Austria should be hosting another Capital of Culture in Bad Ischl.

August 19, 2020

Austrian Chamber of Labour: EUR 315 Million Could Create 75,000 Jobs

According to an expert of the AK Austrian Chamber of Labour, 75,000 jobs can be created with the spending of EUR 315 million. This might be worth a thought in an economic challenging situation due to Covid-19.

August 18, 2020

Corona Infected People Are Getting Younger

The number of Corona cases is rising in Austria. However, the average age of the infected people is lowering and Minister Anschober is appealing to young people to consequently stick to all measures.

August 18, 2020

Sick Notification via Phone May Be Extended

Due to the Corona Pandemic, the possibility to receive a sick notification via mobile phone was introduced. This regulation will end in August, but the Medical Chamber is pleading for an extension. The Health Ministry is thinking about it.

August 18, 2020

"Passport Doesn't Matter" Election in Vienna

About 30% of the population in Vienna is not allowed to vote in the election on October 11 as they do not have an Austrian passport. Therefore, "SOS Mitmensch" organizes again this year the "Passport doesn't matter" election where non-citizens can symbolically vote for their favourite party.

August 18, 2020

European Forum Alpbach Will Be Host to Numerous Outstanding Personalities Beginning August 23

The European Forum Alpbach will be opened by Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen on August 23 and will host various outstanding speakers, either in person or virtually, for 12 days.

August 18, 2020

Austrian Officials Open 13th IPU Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament

The 13th IPU Summit is held virtually and will cover important topics dealing with countless inequalities women face today. The organization of the event is a common effort between the Austrian Parliament and the United Nations.

August 18, 2020

Austria Introduces Traffic Light System as Schools are Reopening

Minister Faßmann presented the new concept for schools as they will reopen soon. The "traffic light system" will be introduced to provide a guide for schools on how to react on rising COVID-19 cases. The range goes from green with classroom teaching to red with distance learning.

August 17, 2020

United States and Russia Continue Disarmament Talks in Vienna

Disarmament talks between Russia and the United States continue on Austrian territory. Representatives of both countries will discuss the expiring treaty "New Start".

August 17, 2020

Austrian Chamber of Commerce Promotes Business with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

The WKO Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce offers the opportunity to participate in a webinar on the opportunities for Austrian and European companies in the two countries Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with and after COVID-19.

July 27, 2020 · Sponsored Content

Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania Presents Credentials

The new Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations (Vienna), Maimuna Kibenga Tarishi, presented her credentials today to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly.

July 24, 2020

Illegal Migration: Austria Calls for More Coordination and Cooperation on Eastern Mediterranean Routes

Agreement reached at the Ministerial Conference to Combat Illegal Migration on the Eastern Mediterranean Routes in Vienna. It was decided to establish a platform for the fight against illegal migration.

July 24, 2020

New IOM Regional Director Renate Held Presents Credentials at UN Vienna

The new Permanent Representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to the United Nations, Renate Held, presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna. The IOM has offices in 19 countries and territories in the "South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region" (SEEECA) including sub-regional offices in Central Asia and the Western Balkans.

July 22, 2020

New Georgian Ambassador to Austria Has Taken Up Her Post

H.E. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, the newly appointed Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations and former Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality in Georgia, has handed over her credentials to the Foreign Ministry and the UNOV United Nations Office at Vienna. She succeeds H.E. Mr. David Dondua in this position.

July 21, 2020

Coronavirus in Austria: Update

The coronavirus pandemic has also hit Austria, and deaths and infections caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are still on the rise. New officially confirmed cases of disease are constantly being added. Despite this outbreak in Austria, the situation looks much worse elsewhere. In contrast, however, there are more than 610,797 deaths worldwide due to the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The Austrian health authorities are networked with the relevant bodies within the framework of WHO and EU membership and are in permanent coordination. The international authorities monitor current developments and address the member countries with the following recommendations.

July 20, 2020

Coronavirus in Vienna: Update - July 20, 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has also hit the metropolis of Vienna hard and the number of infected cases and unfortunately also deaths is constantly increasing. It must also be assumed that an unknown number of people who do not suspect this has already been infected. Medical science does not yet know the virus exactly. What is known so far is that in 80 percent of the cases the infection is mild. The mortality rate is currently three per cent, compared with just under one per cent for influenza. What is the Vienna Pandemic Plan? What is the situation in Vienna and what can be done individually? Questions and answers on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) below.

July 20, 2020

Meet the New Ambassador of India to Austria: H.E. Mr. Jaideep Mazumdar

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

July 12, 2020 · Updated: July 15, 2020; 10:10

Meet the New Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Austria: H.E. Mr. Majintha Jayesinghe

The new Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Austria, H.E. Mr. Majintha Joseph Priye Jayesinghe presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

July 12, 2020 · Updated: July 13, 2020; 10:25

Meet the New Ambassador of North Korea to Austria: H.E. Mr. Choe Kang Il

The new Ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to Austria, H.E. Mr. Choe Kang Il presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

July 12, 2020 · Updated: July 13, 2020; 10:25

Meet the New Ambassador of Mexico to Austria: H.E. Mr. Luis Javier Campuzano Piña

The new Ambassador of the United Mexican States to Austria, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia, H.E. Mr. Luis Javier Campuzano Piña presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg. He is also the new Permanent Representative of Mexico to the international organizations in Vienna.

July 12, 2020 · Updated: July 13, 2020; 10:20

Indo-Austrian Trade and Investment Opportunities Post Covid-19

The FIEO - Federation of Indian Export Organisations is organising an interactive video conference session o­n “Trade & Investment Opportunities between India & Austria - Post Covid-19” with H.E Mr. Jaideep Mazumdar, the new Ambassador of India to Austria o­n Tuesday, 29th July, 2020.

July 13, 2020 · Sponsored Content

New Dean of International Anti-Corruption Academy Accredited at United Nations Office at Vienna

Thomas Stelzer, an Austrian diplomat who serves as the Dean, Executive Secretary and Permanent Representative of the Laxenburg based IACA - International Anti-Corruption Academy presented credentials to the Director-General of UNOV - United Nations Office at Vienna.

July 12, 2020

Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from North Korea, Iran, India, Sri Lanka and Mexico

Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the five newly accredited Ambassadors of the Republic of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of India and the United Mexican States to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.

July 12, 2020

The International Organization of la Francophonie's Nakseu Nguefang Presents Credentials

The new Permanent Representative of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF) to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Mr. Georges Nakseu Nguefang, presented his credentials to the Director-General of UNOV.

July 10, 2020

United Nations Charter Day: "75 Years After Its Foundation, We Need the UN More Than Ever."

The United Nations family in Vienna commemorated United Nations Charter Day at UN Headquarters in Vienna and pledged to work to address the shortcomings revealed by the COVID-19 crisis in our systems and social safety nets.

June 26, 2020

Harald Mahrer Remains Austrian Federal Economic Chamber President for Another Five Years

Harald Mahrer was re-elected President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) at the Economic Parliament and was immediately praised by Margarete Schramböck, Federal Minister for Digitalisation and Business Location.

June 26, 2020

Director-General of the UN Office at Vienna Committed to Fixing Failings Exposed by COVID-19

On the occasion of the commemoration of the signing of the UN Charter 75 years ago, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ms Ghada Waly, praised Austria's reasonable approach to the COVID-19 situation and presented the new UN Action Plan for COVID.

June 26, 2020

COVID-19 and the Situation of Refugees in Austria

A research project at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW - Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften) reveals the situation of refugees in Austria in the midst of the Corona crisis.

June 25, 2020

UN in Vienna Commemorates Signing of Charter of the United Nations

26 June 2020 marks the seventy-fifth anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter. To commemorate this anniversary, the Executive Director of UNODC, Ghada Waly, opens the Commission on Narcotic Drugs Special Event with remarks in her capacity as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, and Foreign Minister Schallenberg speaks for Austria, the host country.

June 25, 2020

Disarmament Talks Russia-USA in Vienna

Representatives from the USA and Russia are currently meeting in Vienna's Palais Niederösterreich to rescue the last active nuclear disarmament treaty "New Start".

June 22, 2020

Human Rights Violations: King Abdullah Center Moves from Vienna to Geneva

After years of criticism, and after the Austrian National Council decided to close it down last year, the controversial Abdullah Centre in Vienna is now apparently leaving Austria and moving to Switzerland.

June 19, 2020

New Permanent Representative of North Korea in Vienna Presented Credentials and Replaces Long-term Diplomat

The new Permanent Representative of North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) to the United Nations, Mr. Choe Kang Il, who was already stationed in Vienna from 2011 to 2015, presented his credentials to the Director-General of UNOV, Ghada Waly. He replaces Mr. Kim Kwang Sop, who, for 27 years has been the highest North Korean diplomat in Austria.

June 19, 2020

Embassy of Kenya in Vienna Endorses Kenya for Africa's Seat on UN Security Council

The Embassy and Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya in Vienna, which serves the Kenyan diaspora in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia, endorses Kenya’s bid for one of the five vacant slots reserved for non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Within Africa, Djibouti is still vying for the seat on the UN Security Council.

June 17, 2020

Austria's Contribution to the "Conference on the Future of Europe"

Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler started her Austria Dialogues on the Conference on the Future of Europe (Konferenz zur Zukunft Europas) with a series of talks with representatives of the Federal Provinces, mayors and EU municipal councils.

June 9, 2020

New Permanent Representative of Kenya Presented Credentials to UN and IAEA

The new Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Kenya to the IAEA and the United Nations in Vienna, Robinson Njeru Githae, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the IAE, Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi.

June 9, 2020

Coronavirus in Austria: Live-Ticker (Our live coverage has now concluded)

On this website you can find information and guidance in English from Vindobona.org regarding the current outbreak of the coronavirus pandemie (COVID-19) in Austria. Vindobona.org is being informed by local Austrian and global health authorities to rapidly disseminate information and knowledge on this new virus, and to provide advice to travellers and expats on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak. Please visit this page for daily updates.

April 17, 2020 · Updated: June 9, 2020; 17:35

OFID - Austria Headquarters Agreement Updated

An amendment to the Headquarters Agreement between the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and Austria in respect of the privileges and immunities granted therein has revised the 1981 Convention.

June 4, 2020

Change at the Helm of Statistics Austria - Halt of "Message Control"

German-born Prof. Dr. Tobias Thomas replaces Konrad Pesendorfer, takes over as Co-CEO and becomes Technical Statistics Director General. His first official act is the suspension of advance transmissions of statistical press releases to the Federal Chancellery of Austria (BKA).

June 2, 2020