Read updated news about key players in Vienna's international community, such as expats, executives, politicians, diplomats, investors, artists and others.
Vienna International Community - People in the News - Latest Headlines
War in Iran: Austria for EU Mediation Role
In view of the tense situation in the Middle East, Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg pleads at a special meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels for a return to dialogue, the continuation of the nuclear agreement and a possible mediation role for the EU.
January 10, 2020
Transfer of Office: Bierlein Passes to Kurz
Previous Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein handed over the affairs of state to Sebastian Kurz after the new federal government was sworn in.
January 7, 2020
More Women than Men - Who Forms the New Austrian Government?
Austrian President Van der Bellen has praised the new Federal Government in the Presidency Chancellery. In addition to Federal Chancellor Kurz and Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler, the cabinet consists of 13 ministers and one state secretary. Among the 17 government members are 9 women and 8 men. Find out below who the new government members are.
January 7, 2020
Alexander Schallenberg Remains Foreign Minister
Alexander Schallenberg will remain Foreign Minister, but with considerably less power.
January 2, 2020
Egyptian Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly Appointed Executive Director of United Nations Agency UNODC
The United Nations announced the appointment of Ghada Fathi Waly of Egypt as the next Executive Director of the Vienna based United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Ms. Waly will also serve as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). She succeeds Yury Fedotov of the Russian Federation.
December 20, 2019
Ludwig van Beethoven, the Immigrant, Turns 250
In 2020, the City of Vienna will celebrate the 250th birthday of a Viennese by choice, Ludwig van Beethoven, who was born in Bonn on 17 December 1770.
December 16, 2019
EU Climate Neutrality by 2050, but Austria Against Nuclear Energy
The EU's commitment to climate neutrality by 2050 is an important milestone. Each state is free to evaluate its own national climate mix. The Austrian head of government stressed that nothing had changed in Austria's attitude that nuclear energy is not a safe and sustainable source of energy.
December 13, 2019
Green Deal: Austria Against Nuclear Energy
In contrast to other partners, MEPs from all Austrian political groups stressed that Austria should oppose nuclear energy at European level. From Austria's point of view, the climate neutrality sought by the European Commission should be built up safely and sustainably.
December 11, 2019
Vienna Energy Forum 2020 as a Hub for Innovative and Sustainable Energy Solutions
During high-level talks at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 25), Maria Patek, Austria's Federal Minister for Sustainability and Tourism, announced the hosting of the Vienna Energy Forum (VEF) 2020.
December 11, 2019
Outstanding Artist Awards: International Flagships of the Art Scene
The awards are presented annually to artists of the younger and middle generation for outstanding achievements. At this year's presentation of the awards in the Federal Chancellery, Minister of Art and Culture Schallenberg stressed that the aim of this award was to highlight the extraordinary achievements of Austrian artists, "especially those who have a particular influence on the current art scene", i.e. who are " outstanding".
December 9, 2019
Ambassador Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger Elected President of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
In 2020 Austria is taking over the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council for the first time. The Council elected Ambassador Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, Permanent Representative of Austria to the UN Office at Geneva, to serve as its President for a one-year term beginning on 1 January 2020.
December 7, 2019
High-Level Delegation in Vienna ahead of Parliamentary Elections in Uzbekistan
The Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Uzbek Senate, Alisher Kurmanov, and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Dilshod Akhatov, were received in the Hofburg by the President of the Federal Council, Karl Bader. The talks focused on bilateral economic relations and the forthcoming elections in Uzbekistan on 22 December this year.
December 6, 2019
Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from Australia, Israel, UAE, Kenya, Cuba and Libya
Recently Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates, the Commonwealth of Australia, the State of Israel, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Cuba and the State of Libya to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.
December 3, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the State of Libya to Austria, H.E. Mr. Jalal E. A. Alashi
The new Ambassador of the State of Libya to Austria, H.E. Mr. Jalal E. A. Alashi presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
December 3, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Mr. Robinson Njeru Githae
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to Austria, H.E. Mr. Robinson Njeru Githae presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
December 3, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. Mordechai Denis Paul Rodgold
The new Ambassador of the State of Israel to Austria, H.E. Mr. Mordechai Denis Paul Rodgold presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
December 2, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Australia, H.E. Mr. Richard Travers Sadleir
The new Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Australia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Richard Travers Sadleir presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
December 2, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Ibrahim Salim Mohamed Al Musharrakh
The new Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Austria, H.E. Ibrahim Salim Mohamed Al Musharrakh presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg. He is also non-resident ambassador to Hungary, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia.
December 2, 2019
Hedy Lamarr: Most Beautiful Woman in the World and Inventor Returns to Vienna
The Jewish Museum Vienna presents the new exhibition "Lady Bluetooth. Hedy Lamarr". Hedy Lamarr, born in Vienna in 1914, made a career in Hollywood as an actress and was crowned "the most beautiful woman in the world". In addition, the world owes her one of the most far-reaching inventions without which mobile telephony, WLAN or Bluetooth would be unthinkable today.
November 19, 2019
Viennese Honour for George Soros the Donor of the Central European University
The investor, philanthropist and sponsor of the CEU Central European University, George Soros, has been awarded the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Province of Vienna.
November 19, 2019
Upward Trend in Foreign Trade Between Uzbekistan and Austria
With 33 million inhabitants, Uzbekistan is the most populous country and Austria's second largest export destination in Central Asia.
November 18, 2019
Schallenberg in St. Petersburg: Art, Culture and Human Rights
Alexander Schallenberg travelled to Saint Petersburg to sign a declaration with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Medinsky on the programme of the "Year of Literature and Theatre Austria".
November 18, 2019
OPEC Headquarters Vienna: World Oil Market Outlook 2019 Launched
OPEC's Chief Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo released its 2019 World Oil Outlook, in which the OPEC states that the oil market may have upside potential in 2020.
November 17, 2019
Extradition of Oligarch Firtash to United States Remains "Suspended"
Although Austria has already agreed to the extradition of Dmytro Firtash, the latter may remain in Austria, as the resumption application submitted by his lawyers has a suspensive effect. During the meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Vadym Prystaiko, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg was confronted with the question of the state of affairs regarding Dmytro Firtash.
November 14, 2019
Ukraine: Schallenberg Meets New Ukrainian Foreign Minister Prystaiko
During his visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev, Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met the new Ukrainian counterpart Vadym Prystaiko, and highlighted the good bilateral relations between the two countries.
November 14, 2019 · Updated: November 14, 2019; 16:09
Casinos-Austria Affair: Austria's Previous Finance Minister No Longer Available
Austria's former and potentially future Finance Minister Hartwig Löger is no longer available for another term in office. A connection with the current Casinos-Austria Affair, in which the Office of the Public Prosecutor for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA) is investigating, would not exist.
November 13, 2019
Paris Peace Forum: "Protecting Civilians in Populated Areas"
At the Peace Forum, Austrian Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein met French President Emmanuel Macron, several Heads of State and Government and directors of international organisations. She also presented the initiative "Protecting Civilians in Populated Areas".
November 12, 2019
Repatriation: Round-Table with Representatives of African Embassies at the Ministry of the Interior
Embassy representatives from French-speaking African countries, representatives of the French Office for Immigration and Integration and representatives of the Austrian Ministry of the Interior met in Vienna to strengthen cooperation in the field of return and reintegration.
November 12, 2019
Prorussian Alexander Lukashenko Meets Van der Bellen
The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in office since 1994 (now in his fifth term of office), was received by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen during an official visit with military honours.
November 12, 2019
Austria Acquires Extraordinary Estate of Star Photographer Yoichi Okamoto
The Austrian National Library recently scored a special coup by purchasing the personal photographic estate of Yoichi R. Okamoto. The Japanese-American, who was promoted to official photographer of the White House under President Lyndon B. Johnson, was head of the American photography service in Austria from 1948 to 1954 and thus had the opportunity to capture post-war Austria directly with his camera.
November 7, 2019
Martin Weiss Accredited as New Austrian Ambassador in the United States
The newly appointed Austrian Ambassador Martin Weiss presented the copies of his credentials to U.S. Chief of Protocol Cam Henderson.
November 7, 2019
Current Austrian Ambassador to Israel to Become Top Diplomat in the United States
Ambassador Martin Weiss, the current Ambassador in Tel Aviv and former Speaker of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, will become the new Austrian Ambassador in Washington D.C., USA.
January 24, 2019 · Updated: November 7, 2019; 09:12
French "Ordre National du Mérite" Awarded to Major General Dorfer
François Saint-Paul, French Ambassador to Austria, has elevated Major General Martin Dorfer, Director in the Cabinet of the Minister of Defence, to the rank of Knight of the French National Order of Merit "Ordre National du Mérite".
November 6, 2019
Austro-Arab Chamber Secretary General Receives “Decoration of Merit in Gold of the Province of Vienna”
The AACC Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce in Vienna announced that Secretary General Dipl.-Ing. Mr. Mouddar Khouja was awarded the "Decoration of Merit in Gold of the Province of Vienna", in recognition of his dedication and devotement to the province of Vienna through his personal initiatives and in his professional capacity as Secretary General of AACC.
November 4, 2019
Argentine Ambassador to Austria Rafael Grossi Appointed New IAEA Director General
Ambassador Rafael Mariano Grossi is set to take office as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency in early December, following his appointment to the post by the Agency’s Board of Governors.
November 1, 2019
Presentation of the Intercultural Achievement Award 2019 - Dialogue is the "Art of Encounter"
Successful and innovative projects in the field of intercultural and interreligious dialogue have been awarded by the Federal Ministry for Europe Integration and Foreign Affairs.
November 1, 2019
New Head of the European Commission in Austria Took Up His Post
Martin Selmayr, until recently Secretary General of the European Commission and previously Head of Cabinet of President Jean-Claude Juncker, became Head of the Commission's Representation in Austria on 1 November. The Representation has around 20 staff and acts as a link between Brussels and the people, politics, business, media and interest groups in Austria.
October 31, 2019
Sobotka, Bures and Hofer Form New National Council Presidency
Parties staked out positions in the first debate in the newly elected Austrian National Council. Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP), Doris Bures (SPÖ) and Norbert Hofer (FPÖ) form the presidency of the new National Council. Wolfgang Sobotka elected President of the National Council with 143 of 163 valid votes. He called for respectful treatment and tolerance.
October 23, 2019
Inaugural Session of the Austrian National Council
The Austrian National Council was constituted today. 40 percent women, 56 newcomers, the Greens are back. The presidency, secretaries and stewards were newly elected. After the constituent session of the National Council, the Main Committee, the Incompatibility Committee, the Immunity Committee and the Budget Committee also met to constitute themselves and to appoint committee chairmen, secretaries and stewards.
October 23, 2019
Enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in the Presence of Van der Bellen
Guests from around 200 countries attended the ceremony of the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in the Japanese Imperial Palace in Tokyo, including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Doris Schmidauer.
October 22, 2019
City of Vienna Battles Airbnb & Co
Shortly before the new European Commission takes up its tasks, the City of Vienna is launching a new Europe-wide offensive to finally achieve clear rules for digital platforms such as Airbnb & Co.
October 22, 2019
Belgrade and Vienna Sign Cooperation Agreement
Not only the Danube connects Vienna with the Serbian capital Belgrade, but now also a new city cooperation agreement with a focus on urban development, affordable housing, smart city, digitisation, open government and culture.
October 21, 2019
Counter-Terrorism in the Focus of UN and Interparliamentary Cooperation
Reinhold Lopatka elected Chairman of the High-Level Advisory Group on Combating Terrorism and Violent Extremism.
October 21, 2019
Celebration of the Imperial Accession to the Throne in Tokyo with Van der Bellen
President Van der Bellen takes part in the ceremony for the accession of the new "Tenno", Emperor Naruhito, to the throne in Tokyo and in the bilateral economic forum "Austria Connect Japan". Other items on the agenda include talks with the Presidents of Georgia and Estonia.
October 21, 2019
Politburo Member of Communist Party of China Courted by Austria's Top Leaders
Yang Xiaodu, member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the National Supervisory Commission of the PRC, visited Vienna and met with Alexander Van der Bellen, Wolfgang Sobotka, Clemens Jabloner and UNODC, among others.
October 17, 2019
Vienna's UNODC and China Sign Agreement on Combating Corruption
The United Nations and China, represented by the Chairmen of the National Supervisory Commission of the Peoples Republic of China, Yang Xiaodu - currently visiting Vienna - signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in combating corruption.
October 17, 2019
The Austrian Leadership Program Draws International Alumnis to Austria
The current round of the Austrian Leadership Program (ALPS) was dedicated to deepening and expanding existing contacts.
October 16, 2019
Turkey: Schallenberg Calls for an End to EU Candidate Status
The meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg focused on the Turkish military offensive in Northern Syria. In the run-up to the meeting, Foreign Minister Schallenberg emphasised that the military action was "simply wrong" and that it was now the EU's turn to take clear decisions.
October 16, 2019
Inaugural Visit of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Ralf Beste
The newly appointed Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany H.E. Mr. Ralf Beste met the First President of the National Council Wolfgang Sobotka in Parliament.
October 15, 2019
Visit of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia to Austria
While the North Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski pays his respects to Austria and the Federal President continues to strongly support the accession of North Macedonia into the European Union, it becomes known from Paris that France's President Emmanuel Macron is vetoing EU accession negotiations with the Balkan states of North Macedonia and Albania, as he apparently considers the progress made so far in the two countries to be insufficient.
October 11, 2019
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