Newsletter: About Climate Neutrality, Human Rights and New Ambassadors

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.

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.

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.

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.

Austria in Favour of Maintaining Sanctions against Russia

The sanctions against Russia will be extended for a further six months. Although positive developments have been identified, they were not enough to lift the sanctions.

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.

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.

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".

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.