Vienna's International Organizations, Missions & Institutes

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

South African to Lead Global Research Institute IIASA in Laxenburg near Vienna

Vice Chancellor of South Africa’s University of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Albert S. van Jaarsveld, has been appointed as Director General and CEO of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). Dr. Albert van Jaarsveld has become the eleventh Director General of IIASA on 1 October 2018. He succeeds outgoing Director General Professor Pavel Kabat who became the first Chief Scientist of the United Nation’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

October 1, 2018

Ambassador Leena Al-Hadid Takes Over as New Chairperson of IAEA Board of Governors

The new Jordanian Ambassador to Austria and to the international organizations in Vienna, H.E. Mrs. Leena Al-Hadid, who recently presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg, was also elected this week by the IAEA Board of Governors as the Chairperson of the IAEA's Board of Governors for 2018-2019.

September 28, 2018

IAEA: What Did the 62nd General Conference at the VIC in Vienna Achieve?

Nearly 2,600 participants attended this year’s event at VIC Vienna International Centre, including delegates from 153 of the IAEA’s 170 Member States, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and the media. By the end of the 62nd IAEA General Conference, 91 Member States have pledged to the Technical Cooperation Fund for 2019. While not all Member States use the opportunity of the General Conference to pledge their contribution, a pledge by so many countries – over 53% of all IAEA Member States – represents a record. The total Technical Cooperation Fund Target for 2019 is 86.2 million euros.

September 27, 2018

Macedonia's Name Dispute with Greece: Macedonians in Austria Cast Their Votes

The Macedonians will decide next Sunday on a bilateral agreement between Athens and Skopje, which can pave the way for the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia to NATO and EU membership. Greece, which claims the name Macedonia for its northern region, should be made satisfied with "North Macedonia". The Macedonian foreign voters can vote for the referendum at the diplomatic representations of their country (diplomatic representations in Austria see below). Voters will be asked "Do you support EU and NATO membership by accepting the agreement between Republic of Macedonia and Republic of Greece?"

September 26, 2018

Thomas Drozda Appointed New Federal Managing Director of Austrian Social Democratic Party

The former cultural manager, who was brought back into politics by Chancellor Christian Kern, will accompany the new party leader, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, as Federal Managing Director of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ).

September 26, 2018

International Day of Peace 2018: Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace. This year's Peace Day celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Join with people from the international community in Vienna by observing the International Day of Peace!

September 20, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of Hungary to Austria: H.E. Mr. Andor Nagy

The new Ambassador of Hungary to Austria, H.E. Mr. Andor Nagy presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

September 20, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Austria: H.E. Mrs. Leena Al-Hadid

The new Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Austria, H.E. Mrs. Leena Al-Hadid presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

September 19, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Austria: H.E. Mr. René Dinesen

The new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Austria, H.E. Mr. René Dinesen presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

September 19, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to Austria: H.E. Mr. Toomas Kukk

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

September 19, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to Austria: H.E. Mrs. Gloria Navarrete Pinto

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to Austria, H.E. Mrs. Gloria Navarrete Pinto presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

September 19, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Austria: H.E. Mr. Miguel Camilo Ruiz Blanco

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Miguel Camilo Ruiz Blanco presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

September 19, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Austria: H.E. Mr. Nebojša Rodic

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

September 19, 2018

Embassy and Permanent Mission of Nepal in Vienna, Austria

The Embassy and Permanent Mission of Nepal in Vienna's 4th district was opened in November 2017. In addition to serving as the residential Embassy of Nepal to the Republic of Austria, it is also concurrently accredited to Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovenia.

September 19, 2018

IAEA Member States Discuss Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technologies

Representatives from the IAEA’s Member States, including at ministerial level and above, are convening at the 62nd IAEA General Conference in Vienna this week to discuss key elements of the Agency’s priorities in its work on the peaceful use of nuclear technologies.

September 18, 2018

Experience Diplomacy: International Participants Simulate Current Issues Debates at the UN in Vienna

This year’s Vienna International Model United Nations (VIMUN) drew over 200 participants from all over the world to debate current issues in a simulation of United Nations meetings. The participants aged between 18 and 35 had the opportunity to not only act like real UN delegates but to contribute in an authentic setting at the UN Headquarters in Vienna.

September 18, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Austria: H.E. Ms. Ivana Cervenková

The new Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Austria H.E. Dr. Ivana Cervenková presented President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

April 16, 2018 · Updated: September 18, 2018; 12:10

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Vienna Surprisingly Recalled

Sri Lanka's President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena has recalled his ambassador to Austria, Mrs. Priyanee Wijesekera. The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry has confirmed this, but has not given any official reason for the recall.

September 17, 2018 · Updated: September 18, 2018; 09:01

Meet the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Austria: H.E. Mr. Ghislain D’Hoop

Ambassador Ghislain D’Hoop is officially the new Permanent Representative of Belgium to the international organizations in Vienna. He already presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov, to the Deputy Director-General of the IAEA, Aldo Malavasi, to the General Secretary of the CTBTO, Lassina Zerbo and to Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen.

September 14, 2018 · Updated: September 17, 2018; 14:00

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to Austria: H.E. Mr. Eric Anderson Machado

The new Ambassador of Peru to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna, Eric Anderson Machado, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov and to Aldo Malavasi, IAEA Acting Director General, and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications at the IAEA. His presentation to Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen is still on the agenda.

September 17, 2018

Intercultural Achievement Award Fosters Dialogue Between Cultures

The Austrian Foreign Ministry presented the Intercultural Achievement Award (IAA) for the fifth time. The award honours inspiring projects in civil society that foster intercultural dialogue and coexistence. This time the award for sustainability went to a project from Mozambique. Ambassador Jörg Wojahn, the Representation of the European Commission in Vienna, and Secretary General of the OSCE Thomas Greminger used the dialogue-based work of their own institutions as a starting point and awarded prizes to projects from Ukraine and Tunisia.

September 14, 2018

Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Vienna, Austria

Updated address and contact details of the Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Vienna, Austria, the Honorary Consulates of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Salzburg an Graz and the Permanent Mission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the International Organizations in Vienna.

June 17, 2016 · Updated: September 14, 2018; 13:15

Timothy Snyder Opens 3rd Vienna Humanities Festival "Power & Powerlessness"

From 27 to 30 September, the third Vienna Humanities Festival will once again bring together leading figures from science, art and culture in an "urban salon" lasting several days. Around 40 events will be held themed "Power & Powerlessness" to discuss the major issues of our time.

September 14, 2018

Cooperation with the Indian Film Industry: Bollywood in Austria

Indian production companies visit potential film locations in Austria for future films. With the aim of exploring Austria as a backdrop for future Bollywood films, six producers from India's most renowned production houses will be visiting Austria from 9 to 15 September 2018.

September 7, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to Austria: H.E. Ms. Athalia Lesiba Molokomme

The new Boswanese Ambassador to Austria, H.E. Ms. Athalia Lesiba Molokomme presented President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

September 5, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Austria: H.E. Mr. Mansoor Ahmad Khan

The new Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Austria, H.E. Mr. Mansoor Ahmad Khan presented President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

September 5, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Austria: H.E. Ms. Elena Rafti

The new Cypriot Ambassador to Austria Elena Rafti presented President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

September 5, 2018

Review of the State Visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Austria

After the visit in March 2016, which was cancelled at short notice, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was on a state visit to Vienna this week, accompanied by massive anti-Iran protests. The aim of the visit was a joint commitment to the Iran nuclear deal after the deal was approved in Vienna three years ago. The visit was overshadowed by a diplomatic case involving an employee of the Iranian embassy in Vienna, who had been arrested last weekend by the German judicial authorities on the basis of a European arrest warrant on suspicion of terrorism.

July 5, 2018

Meet Kazem Gharib Abadi Iran's New Envoy to the IAEA and the International Organizations in Vienna

H.E. Kazem Gharibabadi, the new Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, presented his credentials to the International Organizations in Vienna.

July 3, 2018

Nuclear Deal: Iranian President Rouhani Lobbies for Austria

The Federal Chancellery has now officially confirmed that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will come to Vienna on 4 July for an official visit. Of course, the visit is mainly about the nuclear deal. After the USA's exit, there is considerable pressure on Rouhani.

June 19, 2018

UNIDO: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through Chemical Leasing

In 2004, with the support of the Government of Austria, UNIDO launched its Global Chemical Leasing Programme, promoting a business model that marks a paradigm shift from increasing the sales volume of chemicals toward a value-added approach. The fourth Global Chemical Leasing award ceremony will take place on 6 November 2018 in Vienna, Austria. It will be part of the Green Chemistry Conference 2018 within the Trio Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) programme, "Smart and Sustainable Europe", held during Austria's EU Presidency.

June 8, 2018

15th Anniversary of UN Convention Against Corruption: Tackling Corruption From the Top Down Essential

Corruption and complicity know no geographical boundaries, and it is society’s most vulnerable who get hurt the most, senior United Nations officials say, calling on Government leaders to fight the scourge, “from the top down”.

June 6, 2018

Vienna Energy Forum and the R20 Austrian World Summit 2018: Feedback of a Participant

At the Vienna Energy Forum and the R20 Austrian World Summit recently held in Vienna, Beatriz Mayor of IIASA - International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis also participated, who shares her interesting insights as follows.

June 6, 2018

Austria Prepares for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union: ‘A Europe that protects’

On 1 July 2018 Austria takes over the EU Presidency for six months. The Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union will focus on three topics: the fight against illegal migration, digitalisation and stability in the neighbourhood.

June 5, 2018

Environment Day: The World Must Unite to Beat Plastic Pollution

The world is being ‘swamped’ by harmful plastic waste says United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, marking Environment Day. Microplastic particles in the ocean, now outnumber stars in our galaxy.

June 5, 2018

Austrian Development Agency Supports WHO in Palestine

To improve health care in Gaza, the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) is supporting the World Health Organization (WHO) with 300,000 euros.

June 5, 2018

Austrian Military Investigation into the Golan Heights Ambush: Soldiers' Actions Correct

In September 2012, Austrian UN soldiers on the Golan did not prevent Syrian security forces from entering a deadly ambush. The disciplinary assessment concludes that the conduct of Austria's soldiers had been stressful, but correct, so that the soldiers do not need to be prosecuted.

June 5, 2018

Love, Respect and Solidarity: "Diplomats for Equality" and "Vindobona.org" Support Vienna Pride 2018

The festival "Vienna Pride" is a two-week event of the LGBTI community with the highlight of the Vienna Pride March (Rainbow Parade) on 16 June 2018 and intends to promote human rights for everybody and achieve equality for LGBTI persons. More than 30 Vienna-based embassies and diplomatic missions have come together under the banner "Diplomats for Equality" to support this initiative. Vindobona.org also supports a worldwide non-discriminatory society.

May 31, 2018

Van der Bellen in Estonia: Child of Refugees Back in the Motherland of Parents

Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen is on an official visit to the Estonian capital Tallinn. As a child of Russian-Estonian refugees born in Vienna, some melancholic emotions cannot be excluded.

May 30, 2018

Migration Policy Agency Celebrates 25th Anniversary and Welcomes New Members Malta and Turkey

With Malta and Turkey both joining Vienna based ICMPD in May, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development welcomes two new Member States. ICMPD has now 17 Member States all across Europe. In 2018 ICMPD is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of its founding and is looking into the future to try to see what it may hold in terms of migration and mobility of people.

May 29, 2018

Meet OPEC's Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo

HE Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo is the current Secretary General of OPEC. He recently received a prestigious Energy Award for Lifetime Achievement for helping to stabilize the oil price again. He also gave an insight into how OPEC has regained its former strength under his guidance.

May 28, 2018

Trevor Traina Accredited as New US Ambassador in Vienna

The new US Ambassador to Austria Trevor Traina presented President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

May 25, 2018

Who is Johannes Peterlik, Secretary General Designate at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

The current Deputy Head of Section V for Cultural Foreign Relations of the BMEIA Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Johannes Peterlik will take over the function of Secretary General for Foreign Affairs on 1 June 2018. The current Secretary General Dr. Michael Linhart becomes Ambassador in Paris.

May 25, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to Austria: H.E. Ms. Annabella Guardia Escoffery de Rubinoff

The new Panamanian Ambassador to Austria Annabella Guardia Escoffery de Rubinoff presented President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

May 24, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to Austria: H.E. Ms. Teodolinda Rosa Rodrigues Coelho

The new Angolan Ambassador to Austria Teodolinda Rosa Rodrigues Coelho presented President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

May 24, 2018

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to Austria: H.E. Mr. Mohamed Mezghani

The new Tunisian Ambassador to Austria Mohamed Mezghani presented his letter of accreditation to President Alexander Van der Bellen at the Vienna Hofburg.

May 24, 2018

US Embassy Opening in Jerusalem: Palestinian Ambassador to Austria Called Back to Palestine in Protest

The Austrian Ambassador to Israel, Martin Weiss, was one of only four EU Ambassadors (Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania) who participated in the celebrations surrounding the US embassy relocation to Jerusalem. The Palestinian leadership pointed out some time ago that not only the act but also the timing is a violation of international law and relevant UN resolutions, as well as arrogant disrespect. Therefore, the Palestinian Ambassador to Austria, Salah Abdel Shafi, has been called back to Palestine for an indefinite period of time.

May 16, 2018

Vienna Energy Forum 2018: Sustainable Energy Provision as a Key to Tackling Poverty

The sixth Vienna Energy Forum 2018 was held from 14 to 16 May, 2018, at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. It was attended by over 1,800 participants from 130 countries, including prime ministers, ministers, high-level government officials, permanent mission representatives, chairs of the regional groups, donors, as well as representatives of the EU, the private sector and development finance institutions.

May 16, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the French Republic to Austria: H.E. Mr. Francois Marcel Michel Saint-Paul

H.E. Mr. Francois Marcel Michel Saint-Paul is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Austria.

May 16, 2018

Soros Foundations Relocate from Budapest to Berlin

The first Open Society Foundations, founded in Hungary in 1984 by George Soros, also of Hungarian origin, with a founding budget of US$3 million, is now actually withdrawing to Berlin.

May 15, 2018