Vienna's International Organizations, Missions & Institutes

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

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations in Vienna

Stephen Mubiru, Uganda's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador, Stephen Mubiru, the new permanent representative of the Republic of Uganda to the International Organizations in Vienna.

June 12, 2023

Austria Supports IAEA with 1 Million Euro for Nuclear Safety in Ukraine

Austria has decided to support nuclear safety efforts in Ukraine by providing one million euros to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

June 11, 2023

NEFI Study Shows Paths to Climate-Neutral Industry in Austria

A recent study by the innovation network NEFI - New Energy for Industry has provided important impetus for a climate-neutral future for Austrian industry. In 2021, the domestic manufacturing industry was responsible for more than one-third of the total CO2 emissions in Austria. The NEFI experts have now developed three scenarios that show concrete ways to transform the industrial energy system.

June 11, 2023

UNOOSA and ESA Collaborate to Launch Space Solutions Database Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

In a joint effort to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have introduced a comprehensive database, known as the Space Solutions Compendium (SSC), to showcase ongoing and past projects by space agencies.

June 7, 2023

ESA Conference in Vienna: Importance of Space Research

European space exploration's current challenges and ambitions were presented at ESA's international symposium "Ready for the moon", co-initiated by the Austrian Federal Chancellery and held at Palais Ferstl in Vienna. The geopolitical, economic, and societal potential of Europe's future role in space exploration efforts was also discussed.

June 6, 2023

Austrian Diplomacy Wins: Two Austrians Freed from Iranian Detention

Austria's efforts to secure the release of Kamran Ghaderi and Massud Mossaheb from Iranian custody have finally borne fruit. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announced that the two Austrian-Iranian dual citizens were on their way to Austria, where their families are eagerly waiting for them.

June 6, 2023

Iran's Enriched Uranium Stockpile Soars: IAEA Concerns Grow

A recent confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found that Iran now possesses 23 times as much enriched uranium as agreed in the 2015 international nuclear deal. In his latest report, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi discusses verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran and indirectly confirmed the concerns of the confidential report days earlier.

June 5, 2023

Vienna Business Agency and Climate Lab For Sustainable Economic Development

Since its founding in September 2022, the Climate Lab has strived to achieve Austria's climate neutrality targets and the goals of the Austrian circular economy strategy as quickly as possible through innovative collaborations and alliances.

June 4, 2023

Anniversary Celebration at MuseumsQuartier: 30 Years of the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights

The Austrian Foreign Ministry, together with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is organizing a series of high-profile events in Vienna's MuseumsQuartier to mark the 30th anniversary of the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights. The events are intended to draw attention to the importance of human rights in times of global crises and to make it clear that they are the cornerstone of democracy, peace, and justice.

June 4, 2023

New Unitary Patent Paves the Way for Innovative Companies in Europe

As of June 1, 2023, a unitary patent (unitary patent) will be introduced that will be valid in most member states of the European Union. Austria already ranks eighth in the EU for future technologies.

June 1, 2023

Focus on Strategic Partnership and Middle East Situation: Israel's Foreign Minister Visits Vienna

Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, visited his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg, in Vienna for the first time after taking office. During the meeting, the talks focused on the strategic partnership between the two countries, the Middle East peace process, and the latest geopolitical developments in the region.

June 1, 2023

OSCE Chairman Urges De-escalation and Emphasizes Youth Engagement During Visit to Kosovo and Serbia

The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Bujar Osmani, recently concluded a productive one-day visit to Kosovo. Chairman Osmani also visited Serbia's capital Belgrade a day earlier. During his visits, he engaged in high-level meetings with key political figures.

May 31, 2023

Peter Sloterdijk on Europe at the Austrian Integration Fund Pentecostal Dialogue

As part of the 11th Styrian "Geist & Gegenwart" Pentecost Dialogue held at Seggau Castle, the renowned German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk appeared as a guest speaker of the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF). Sloterdijk elaborated in the panel on Europe, Ukraine, and the challenges of nation-states.

May 31, 2023

Austria Finances Demining Equipment for Ukraine Worth 2 Million Euros

After several weeks of heated discussion on how Austria should continue to support Ukraine, the Austrian government decided to provide financial assistance to Ukraine for 2 million euros for demining.

May 30, 2023

NATO Boosts Security Measures in Kosovo, Backed by Austrian Armed Forces

Following violent protests in northern Kosovo, NATO is reinforcing the international protection force KFOR there. The Austrian Armed Forces are now also increasing troop protection in northern Kosovo.

May 30, 2023

42.5 Million Euros for the Establishment of Excellent Technical Competence Centers

Call for proposals for COMET Centres is now open. This Promotes research at a high international level by science and industry.

May 30, 2023

International Narcotics Control Board Emphasizes Drug Control and Global Cooperation

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) highlighted the significance of the licit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals in achieving health and welfare objectives in a session in Vienna.

May 30, 2023

Festive Opening of the Interactive Exhibition "Experience Europe" in Vienna

In Vienna's Rotenturmstraße, the interactive permanent exhibition "Experience Europe" was opened with a great ceremony. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola, together with high-ranking guests, cut the opening ribbon to this multimedia show.

May 29, 2023

EU Parliament President Metsola Visited Vienna

The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola was on several working visits and events in an EU Parliament President addressed the members of the Austrian National Council. It also came to the working meeting with Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg and the opening of the interactive exhibition "Experience Europe" in Vienna.

May 29, 2023

Austria's Schallenberg Discusses Importance of Vienna and Human Rights Advocacy in Meeting with UNGA President Kőrösi

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met yesterday with the President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, to discuss important matters related to the United Nations.

May 25, 2023

Austria's Best Tax Consultants Were Awarded

The Institute for Investment Consulting (IFA AG) and the daily newspaper "Die Presse" presented the coveted "Tax Consultant of the Year" award to the best tax consultants in Austria. The festive award ceremony took place in the Sofiensälen in Vienna and was accompanied by Federal Minister of Finance Dr. Magnus Brunner as keynote speaker. More than 16,000 nominations demonstrate appreciation for both the industry and the award.

May 25, 2023

OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani Wraps Up Visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, successfully concluded a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), where he engaged in high-level discussions with key officials and emphasized the importance of ongoing reforms in various sectors.

May 24, 2023

Austria Shows Interest in Developing the Railroad Infrastructure to the Slovenian Port of Koper

Despite expansion projects, rail capacity remains limited compared to road. The seaport in Koper, Slovenia, which is important for Austria, is an example of current efforts in rail expansion, but at the same time shows the limits of rail-bound freight transport. With regard to Koper, Austrian experts emphasized the importance of an efficient rail connection for freight traffic.

May 24, 2023

Council of Europe Summit Against Russian Aggression in Ukraine: Van der Bellen Holds Speech

The first Council of Europe summit in nearly 20 years took place, with some 30 European leaders traveling to Reykjavik, Iceland. The summit was all about support for Ukraine and finding solutions to hold Russia accountable for its war of aggression.

May 23, 2023

IGGÖ Supports Demands for the Fight Against Racist Attacks on Muslims

The Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ) confirms the established link between the reported cases and certain political events. Against this background, the IGGÖ supports the demands of the Documentation Center to the Austrian Federal Government to develop and implement the National Action Plan against Racism, which has already been announced in the government program 2019, as soon as possible.

May 23, 2023

Austria Calls for "European Year Against Hate" for 2024

Austria is demanding a "European Year against Hate" in 2024, as stated by State Secretary Claudia Plakolm. This demand was made during the meeting of the Council of Youth Ministers in Brussels.

May 22, 2023

Gazprom Austria Inventory is Now Being Auctioned Off

The Gazprom subsidiary in Austria has become insolvent, and now its assets are being auctioned off at the Aurena auction house. The offer includes 240 exhibits and the purchase of Russian business memorabilia.

May 22, 2023

International Soldiers' Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Austrian Military Delegation for Peace

The 63rd International Soldiers' Pilgrimage to Lourdes is taking place under the motto "Let us build a church here". An Austrian delegation led by Military Bishop Werner Freistetter traveled to France with 289 pilgrims.

May 21, 2023

International Ombudsman Institute Sets Sign of Solidarity with Ukraine and Discusses Future Projects

The annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) was recently held in Vienna and featured a guest speaker from Ukraine. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman, reported on the horrors of the Russian war of aggression and received the support of the IOI.

May 19, 2023

EU Parliament President Metsola Brings European Issues to Austrian Parliament

EU Parliament President Metsola will address the Austrian National Council on European affairs, participating in a National Council resolution.

May 18, 2023

Time to Decide Europe Summit 2023: Experts Debate the Future of Europe and the Challenges of Today

The 'Time To Decide Europe Summit 2023' in Vienna brought together experts to debate the future of Europe in times of current crises. Vindobona.org reviews the event, which featured high-level keynote speeches and engaging discussions on geopolitics, democracy, economics, energy, and the environment.

May 18, 2023

Diplomats Express Support for IDAHOBIT 2023: Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Gender Equality

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria and the diplomatic missions of several states, as well as organizations, have honored May 17 as the International Day against Homophobia, Biophobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). In a joint statement, they express their support for diversity and inclusion.

May 18, 2023

High-Level Meeting Between US and China Held in Vienna

After a prolonged period of silence between the US and China, a high-level meeting took place amid significant tensions. President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, met with China's top foreign policy official, Wang Yi, in Vienna.

May 15, 2023

Diplomats From All Over the World Compete in Soccer Tournament in Vienna

Last weekend, an extraordinary soccer tournament took place in Vienna: Diplomats from different countries competed against each other on the green pitch. The event brought diplomacy and sports together for the first time in a unique way.

May 15, 2023

Bulgaria Assumes FSC Chairmanship Amid Ongoing Concerns Over Russia's War Against Ukraine

In turbulent times, Bulgaria has taken over the charir of the Forum of Security Cooperationa (FSC) at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), succeeding Bosnia and Herzegovina.

May 14, 2023

Challenges to Media Freedom in OSCE Region Linked to Larger Political and Social Contexts

According to Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro, current setbacks in media freedom are not isolated incidents but rather closely linked to the larger political and social contexts in which they occur. Read on to learn more about Ribeiro's report and her call to protect and enhance media freedom in the OSCE region.

May 14, 2023

Meet the Permanent Representative of China to the International Organizations in Vienna

Li Song, China's permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Li Song, the permanent representative of the People's Republic of China to the International Organizations in Vienna.

May 11, 2023

Time to Decide Europe Summit to Address Urgent Questions Facing the Continent

The Time to Decide Europe Summit, a one-day conference co-organized by ERSTE Foundation and the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), is set to address the most pressing dilemmas posed by the war in Europe. The conference will bring together prominent thinkers, political scientists, and economists to untangle the urgent questions facing Europe today and offer insights into the future of the continent.

May 11, 2023

Vienna Stock Exchange Reports High Profits for Third-Year Running

Vienna's stock exchange, Wiener Börse AG, has announced high profits for the third year in a row, despite the turbulent economic environment of 2022. Vienna's stock exchange plans to continue its focus on consistent market modeling and alignment with international standards and is calling on the government to act to take advantage of the capital market's potential as a powerful lever.

May 10, 2023

Political Support for Southern Hydrogen Corridor: Austria, Germany, and Italy Sign Joint Letter

The Southern Hydrogen Corridor, developed by major European transmission system operators, aims to connect North Africa, Italy, Austria, and Germany to supply important European demand clusters with competitive renewable hydrogen.

May 10, 2023

Austrian and Costa Rican Foreign Ministers Celebrate 150 Years of Diplomatic Relations

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Dr. Arnoldo André, met with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg, to discuss a broad agenda of bilateral and multilateral issues in the context of the celebration of 150 years of diplomatic relations between both countries.

May 9, 2023

Ukrainian Human Rights Lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk Delivers Speech to Europe at Wiener Festwochen 2023

The Wiener Festwochen program begins with the Speech to Europe 2023, featuring Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyer and the head of the Center for Civil Liberties, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

May 9, 2023

ICMPD Files Lawsuit Against NGO to Correct False Allegations

The conflict between the Viennese NGO SOS Balkan Route and the international organization International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) over the construction of a deportation center including a prison in the Bosnian refugee camp Lipa has a legal aftermath. ICMPD wants to correct the accusations that have made the rounds in the Austrian media.

May 9, 2023

Commemoration of Victory in Europe Day and Liberation Day in Austria

The government commemorated the liberation from National Socialism in a ceremony. The diplomatic community in Vienna also commemorated the end of the Second World War and the Liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp.

May 8, 2023

OSCE and United Nations Celebrate 30 Years of Collaboration

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations (UN) marked 30 years of their joint efforts towards promoting peace and security across the world.

May 8, 2023

Vienna Ball Season 2023: Concordia Ball Anniversary Celebrates 160 Years

Vienna's famous ball season has been extended with the long-awaited return of the Concordia Ball. The ball, which is hosted by the Vienna Journalist and Writer Association Concordia, is one of the city's oldest dance events and has been held since 1863. This year's ball will take place on May 26th at Vienna's City Hall, the Rathaus.

May 8, 2023

EU Commissioner Hahn Says Only a United Europe Can Succeed in a Globalized World

On the occasion of Europe Day on May 9th, the European Commission recently organized a ceremony under the motto "Europe - Together for Democracy, Peace and Sovereignty" at the Austrian Parliament. EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of Europe's global political capacity for its future success.

May 5, 2023

Austria's Foreign Disaster Fund is Increased

Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg have praised the increase of the Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) to 77.5 million euros in 2023 before the Council of Ministers.

May 4, 2023

OSCE Experts Present Findings on Child Abductions in Ukraine to Permanent Council

A recent report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) demonstrates that practices that violate international humanitarian law have been used in the abduction of Ukrainian children to areas controlled by Russia, or even as far away as Russia itself. OSCE experts were tasked to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible violations of OSCE commitments and possible cases of war crimes.

May 4, 2023

OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration: Promoting Peaceful Dispute Resolution

The OSCE Court of Arbitration is an important institution within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and recently the President and Vice-President of the OSCE Court met with the leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to further strengthen it. But what is the OSCE Court of Arbitration and why is it important?

May 3, 2023