Vienna's International Organizations, Missions & Institutes

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

OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug to Visit Vienna

The Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, Alexander Hug, will visit Vienna, Austria, on 5-6 March.

March 5, 2015

OSCE Chief Observer at the Russian Checkpoints to Visit Headquarter in Vienna

Paul Picard, Chief OSCE Observer at the Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk will address the OSCE Permanent Council. He will report on the situation including movements across the Russian-Ukrainian border at the Russian checkpoints at Gukovo and Donetsk.

February 25, 2015

Former Ambassador Aliyev is Dead: Lawyers Doubt Suicide

Rakhat Aliyev, the former son-in-law of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, is supposed to have hanged himself in his cell. Aliyev sat in Vienna-Josefstadt in custody for allegedly killing two bankers in his homeland Kazakhstan. Today he would have to testify against alleged blackmailers.

February 24, 2015

Vienna to Have Two Million Inhabitants in 2029

Vienna is already the city with the second largest population in the German-speaking countries. But Vienna is growing faster than ever. This development entails a tremendous challenge for Vienna. Based on the figures now available, investments totalling seven billion euros will have to be made by the year 2020 in the areas of child care, public transport, other infrastructure facilities and health services alone.

February 20, 2015

Japanese Mizuho Bank Sets Up Office in Vienna

Mizuho Bank through its Dutch subsidiary has acquired the approval to open a branch in Vienna. The bank is looking to develop its business in CEE. Simultaneously the Bank signed a memorandum of understanding with the Austrian Business Agency for services in connection with the setup.

January 28, 2015

Holocaust Memorial Day: "European Jews again feeling anxious and uncertain about their future"

As people across the OSCE region commemorated the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, officials highlighted the importance for societies to stand firmly against the contemporary challenges of anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of intolerance.

January 28, 2015

Vienna as a Business Location - The City at a Glance

Vienna combines tradition, culture and quality of life with the factors of a top business location in a unique way. A stable political and economic environment, a research and technology-friendly climate, geographical and cultural proximity to the growth markets in the east and, not least, the highest quality of life in the world provide for a place at the very top of the world’s rankings.

January 27, 2015

OSCE Permanent Council Prepares for Upcoming International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Holocaust remembrance was the focus of today's meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council at Vienna's Hofburg in light of the upcoming International Holocaust Remembrance Day (27 January).

January 22, 2015

Vienna as a Business Location - Areas of Strength

Vienna combines tradition, culture and quality of life with the factors of a top business location in a unique way. A stable political and economic environment, a research and technology-friendly climate, geographical and cultural proximity to the growth markets in the east and, not least, the highest quality of life in the world provide for a place at the very top of the world’s rankings.

January 22, 2015

Ivica Dačić in Vienna: Serbia Takes Over OSCE Chairmanship from Switzerland

The new OSCE Chairperson, Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, spoke today at the inaugural Permanent Council meeting of Serbia's OSCE Chairmanship Vienna. He revealed his Chairmanship priorities pledging to rebuild trust and confidence in the OSCE region of 57 participating states.

January 15, 2015

Secretary of State John Kerry at the OSCE Ministerial Plenary Session

"It is not our design or desire that we see a Russia isolated through its own actions. In fact, we are convinced that Moscow could rebuild trust and relationships if it simply helps to calm turbulent waters, if it takes steps now to implement the Minsk protocol."

December 5, 2014

Human Trafficking: Ban Ki-moon Attendes UN Trust Fund for Victims Event in Vienna

The UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons received a US$ 250,000 boost in donations from the private sector at a fund-raising event in Vienna, attended by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. Proceeds from the event will go directly to grassroots organizations that rescue, shelter and reintegrate victims into society.

November 7, 2014

UN's Lakshmi Puri on Enhancing Women's Share in Peace and Security: "This is a historic moment!"

At the Austrian Parliament a high-level panel of international politicians and prominent activists have discussed significant achievements and major obstacles in the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda. The speakers included Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, Ursula Plassnik, former Austrian Foreign Minister, Lakshmi Puri, the Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, May Chidiac of the Chidiac Foundation and Hanan Ashrawi, PLO Executive Committee Member.

November 4, 2014

OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Starts the Use of Austrian Drones

The OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) today completed the maiden flight of its unarmed/unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) before members of the media near Mariupol in eastern Ukraine. The OSCE will use unmanned and unarmed drones for the monitoring of the border between Ukraine and Russia.

October 23, 2014

Speech by Austrian Foreign Minister Kurz at the UN General Assembly

Following is the recent speech by Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz on the occasion of the 69th UN General Assembly. Vindobona believes that this is a brilliant speech, which shows how a neutral country like Austria can make a constructive contribution to the solution of pressing international challenges.

October 17, 2014

Austrian Development Agency Celebrates 10 Years, 3.000 Projects and EUR 900 Mln Invested

„In the last 10 years, we have contributed to the improvement of the lives of millions of people in our partner countries with 3.000 projects and approximately €900m”, says Federal Minister Sebastian Kurz on the occasion of the Austrian Development Agency’s (ADA) anniversary, in the Museum of Ethnology in Vienna. The ADA is active in 11 core countries on four continents, combating poverty, securing peace and working for improved environmental protection.

October 17, 2014

UN Vienna: Celebrations of the International Day of Non-Violence

The Permanent Mission of India in Vienna celebrated the International Day of Non-Violence and the 145th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the Rotunda at United Nations, Vienna International Centre. DG UNOV, H.E. Mr. Yuri Fedotov, DG UNIDO, H.E. Mr. Li Yong, Permanent Representatives of various countries and officials of the UN Vienna were present at the event.

October 16, 2014

Austrian Chamber of Commerce Hosts the "Make in India" Launch Event

The Indian Embassy in Vienna in cooperation with the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, organized the "Make in India" launch event at the WKO in Vienna. The main focus of the event was the recently announced “Make in India” campaign.

October 15, 2014

Indian Embassy in Vienna Launches ‘Make in India’ Campaign

India's new Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Make in India’ campaign, aimed at reviving the job-creating manufacturing sector. India's Mission in Vienna will be organizing a business event focusing on “Make in India” on 9th November at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, followed by events in other provinces. The campaign includes invitations to Austria’s top companies to explore investment possibilities in India.

October 7, 2014

Update: Enquiry into TTIP and CETA Agreements

Details about the negotiation progress at Austria’s National Assembly have meanwhile been released. The Transatlantic Agreement CETA with Canada and the TTIP agreement with the USA have been cause for disagreements. The assembly has adopted a motion for resolution of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) concerning the transatlantic economic agreements with Canada (CETA) and the USA (TTIP). The motion calls for transparency of negotiations and ratification of the agreements by national parliaments.

September 25, 2014

The United Nations Celebrate 35 Years in Vienna

The United Nations moved into the VIC Vienna International Centre 35 years ago. The VIC was officially opened on 23 August 1979 when it was handed over to the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Commonly known locally as 'UNO City', it has been rented to the organizations for 99 years at a symbolic rate of 1 Austrian schilling (7 euro cents) annually.

August 11, 2014

FDI in Austria up by EUR 25 Million

In the first half of 2014 the number of international companies setting up business operations in Austria with the assistance of ABA in cooperation with the regional investment promotion agencies climbed from 88 to 114. Total investment volume was up 15.9 % in the first half of 2014 to EUR 179.97 million from EUR 154.33 million in the prior year period.

July 11, 2014

German Investment: New EUR 140 Mln Data Center for the City of Vienna

A 140 million Euro investment from Frankfurt based e-shelter strengthens Vienna as an international ICT center.

July 3, 2014

Austrian Export Award 2014 for Above-Average Export Commitment

As part of a festive gala evening in Vienna's Museumsquartier, the Austrian Export Prize 2014 has been awarded by the Federal Minister for Science, Research and Economics, Reinhold Mitterlehner, and the President of the Economic Chamber Austria (WKO) Christoph Leitl.

June 26, 2014

AmCham Austria: Lessing Has Been Elected New President

Mr. Norbert B. Lessing takes over the job of the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Austria from Mr. Felix Thun-Hohenstein.

June 10, 2014

Suspicion of Murder: Meet Former Kazakh Ambassador to Austria

Rakhat Aliyev, the former son-in-law of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, has recently been arrested in Vienna, six years after fleeing Kazakhstan following a spectacular fall-out with his father-in-law. What is his background...

June 9, 2014

Austria's Foreign Policy on the Western Balkans

Due to centuries of political, cultural and economic interrelations, Austrian foreign policy has always attached particular importance to the Balkans. The prime goal of Austrian foreign policy is to support the transformation of the Western Balkans into a zone of stability.

June 4, 2014

Foreign Ministry: "Freedom of Religion in Austria"

The first meeting of the Interreligious Dialogue Platform at the Austrian Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs took place. Integration Minister launches an initiative for dialogue with recognised churches and religious communities in Austria.

June 3, 2014

TTIP-Myths and Realities According to AmCham Austria

The American Chamber of Commerce in Austria (AmCham Austria) promotes the expansion and strengthening of trade and commerce relations between Austria and the US. Talks on a future EU-US trade deal started in July 2013 and are set to continue throughout 2014. The talks are part of a trade and investment deal, known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP.

June 3, 2014

Austria: Western Balkans Representatives are Meeting in Vienna

The Western Balkans Conference and the Central European Initiative (CEI) Ministerial Meeting are currently discussing questions regarding the EU enlargement, the role of the EU as a peace project and the economic situation in the Western Balkans.

June 3, 2014

Exporttag: Meet All Austrian Trade Delegates at the Export Day 2014

On June 24, the Export Day (Exporttag) of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) will take place in Vienna. Economic delegates from all over the world will be present.

May 20, 2014

Meet the New Ambassador of India to Austria His Excellency Shri Rajiva Misra

Yesterday evening at the Indian Embassy in Vienna, Ambassador Misra has presented himself to the international public.

May 15, 2014

Wesner: “Failing in Business Does Not Mean Personal Failure”

The start-up culture in Austria is clearly different than the one in the US. On the occation of the May Day, experts, including US ambassador to Austria Alexa Wesner, talked about the differences in the start-up scenes.

May 8, 2014

Federation of Industries: “Industrial Compact“ for European Competitiveness

The Austrian Federation of Industries (IV) considers the EU entry of Austria as the basis of prosperty and economic growth in the past years. However, now reforms are required to catch up to a global level.

May 5, 2014

Vienna Real Estate Market Hopelessly Overstrained?

Real estate trustees in Vienna demand a limit to state-subsidized apartments and call for “unrestricted” rents.

April 23, 2014

Austria: Calls for Reduction of Bureaucracy Become Louder

Bureaucratic hurdles burden the Austrian enterprises the most apart from taxes and other levies.

April 23, 2014

Industrial Location Austria Losing Attractiveness

Among other things, labor costs and energy prices are too high, according to the Austrian Federation of Industries.

April 16, 2014

Erste Group to be Relocated to the Czech Republic?

CEO of Erste Group, Andreas Treichl, has informed Czech President Milos Zeman about the bank’s intention to move to Prague in the coming years.

April 9, 2014

Austria: Dispute about Bank Tax Culminates

The establishing of a new fund for the banking union will become a financial burden for banking institutes.

April 3, 2014

Austria: Faymann Insists on Bank Levy

Chancellor Faymann intends to keep the bank levy in spite of the planned insolvency fund, which is going to be established EU-wide.

April 1, 2014

Leitl: “Growth Must Not Mean Less Reforms”

Economic growth is now weaker than in the previous phases of upturn.

March 28, 2014

Faymann Does Not Rule Out Economic Sanctions Against Russia

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann wants to avoid further conflicts with Russia and to put effort into diplomacy instead. Economic sanctions are no taboo, though.

March 24, 2014

Austria: Reform Steps Very Modest

Austria, along with Germany and Switzerland, hardly put any economic reforms into realization. This is the conclusion of the annual “reform barometer” for the three countries.

March 20, 2014

Austria: IV Welcomes Government‘s Decision on Hypo

According to Kapsch, president of IV, Hypo Group’s insolvency would have meant uncertainty and damages to the reputation of the business location Austria.

March 14, 2014

H.E. Ambassador Rajiva Misra, Embassy of India, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria

Ambassador Rajiva Misra presented his credentials to Dr. Heinz Fischer, the Federal President of Austria on 14th March and took charge as India’s Ambassador to Austria and Montenegro, and Permanent Representative of India to the International bodies in Vienna.

March 14, 2014

Hypo Group: Decision about Future Delayed

The decision about the future of Austrian problem bank Hypo will be delayed.

February 28, 2014

Conference on Combating Human Trafficking

Joint Council of Europe – OSCE high-level conference on combating human trafficking, 17-18 February at Hofburg, Vienna.

February 18, 2014

Austrian Industrial Sector only Sees Weak Recovery

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) warns about a fragile economic recovery.

January 30, 2014

WKO Rejects Further Financial Burdens for Banks

According to the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO), the financial burdens of banking institutes in Austria are significantly higher than those of their competitors in other EU member states.

January 29, 2014

Austria: Fischer Calls Upon Respect of Human Rights

At the New Year Reception for the diplomatic corps in Austria, President Heinz Fischer called upon the strict compliance to human rights.

January 20, 2014