Robert Floyd

Vienna as a UN Location More Important Than Ever: Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger Reaffirms Austria's Commitment

Vienna is considered one of the most important UN locations in the world. Austria's Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger visited the Vienna International Centre (VIC) to emphasize the importance of the UN headquarters for Austria and the international community. In talks with high-ranking UN representatives, she reaffirmed Austria's support for multilateral cooperation and the rules-based world order. But what specific tasks does the UN perform in Vienna and why are they more urgent than ever today?

March 13, 2025

Meet Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna

The new Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations in Vienna, Yurii Vitrenko, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Yurii Vitrenko, the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna.

March 11, 2025

Meet Germany's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna

Rüdiger Bohn, Germany's Permanent Representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office in Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Rüdiger Bohn, the Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany to the International Organizations in Vienna.

August 20, 2024

Indonesian Foreign Minister in Vienna For Ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and Recognition of Palestine

During her visit to Vienna, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Dr. Robert Floyd, and her Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg. Ms. Marsudi's agenda included supporting the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and strengthening bilateral relations with Austria.

July 4, 2024 · Updated: July 5, 2024; 15:21

Russia Reconsiders Nuclear Weapons Test Ban: CTBTO Expresses Concerns

In a recent development, Russia is preparing to revoke its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). However, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, Russia will only conduct a nuclear test if the United States does likewise. Russia signed the CTBT in 1996 and ratified it in 2000.

October 10, 2023

International Day Against Nuclear Tests: Pressure on Key States Grows

The International Day Against Nuclear Testing is a global action established by the UN General Assembly in 2009. This day aims to draw attention to the "devastating and harmful effects" that nuclear testing has on people and the environment. The UN, represented by the Secretary-General, and international actors such as Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg are increasing pressure on so-called key states to finally ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

August 29, 2023

Meet the Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Angola to the United Nations in Vienna

Isabel de Jesus da Costa Godinho, Angola's Ambassador and Permanent Representative, presented her credentials to Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and the Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Dennis Thatchaichawalit. Meet Ambassador, Isabel de Jesus da Costa Godinho, the new permanent representative of the Republic of Angola to the International Organizations in Vienna and Ambassador to Austria.

August 27, 2023

New Chinese Ambassador Held Welcome Reception at Vienna International Center

The new permanent representative of the People's Republic of China to the international organizations in Vienna, Li Song, held a Welcome Reception at the Vienna International Center.

April 13, 2023

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the International Organizations in Vienna

Jorge Skinner-Klée Arenales, Guatemala's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Jorge Skinner-Klée Arenales, the new permanent representative of Guatemala to the International Organizations in Vienna.

February 28, 2023

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Argentina to the International Organizations in Vienna

Holger Federico Martinsen, Argentina's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Holger Federico Martinsen, the new permanent representative of Argentina to the International Organizations in Vienna.

February 6, 2023

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

Elena María Freije Murillo, Honduras's new permanent representative, presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Elena María Freije Murillo, the new permanent representative of Honduras to the International Organizations in Vienna.

December 6, 2022

Meet the New Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the International Organizations in Vienna

Hemra Amannazarov, Turkmenistan's new Ambassador in Austria and permanent representative to the international organizations in Vienna presented her credentials to the Austrian Federal President, Alexander Van der Bellen. Meet Ambassador Hemra Amannazarov, the new Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the International Organizations in Vienna.

September 23, 2022

CTBTO's Executive Secretary and Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Reaffirm Commitment to Nuclear Weapons Free World

In a joint statement, Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi and CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd reaffirmed their commitment to a nuclear weapons-free world. In a joint statement released on Aug. 29 to mark the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the two reiterated their determination to enact the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

August 30, 2022

Meet the New Resident Representative of Indonesia to the International Organizations in Vienna, HE Dr. Damos Dumoli Agusman

The new Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the International Organizations in Vienna is Mr. Damos Dumoli Agusman. Learn more about Ambassador Agusman.

February 23, 2022

Meet the New Resident Representative of Romania to the International Organizations in Vienna, HE Mr. Stelian Stoian

The new Permanent Representative of Romania to the International Organizations in Vienna, Mr. Stelian Stoian, recently presented his credentials to the heads of the various organizations. Learn more about Mr. Stoian.

February 23, 2022

New Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ecuador Presents Credentials

The new Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the International Organizations in Vienna, Mireya del Carmen Muñoz Mera, presented her credentials to the heads of the UNOV, IAEA, UNIDO, and the CTBTO. Learn more about the new permanent representative.

November 24, 2021

Vienna International Centre-based Organizations Reduce their Presence

After only a few months in which employees at the Vienna International Centre were able to slowly return to their jobs, the end of the gradual return to "normal operations" has now been heralded and the VIC is at the beginning of the fourth lockdown. What needs to be done to ensure the health and well-being of all VIC employees?

November 22, 2021

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Malaysia

The new Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the International Organizations in Vienna, Mr. Ikram bin Mohd Ibrahim, presented his credentials to the various heads of the international organizations in Vienna. Learn more about Mr. Mohd Ibrahim and his career before becoming the permanent representative.

September 24, 2021

New Permanent Representative of Lithuania Presents Credentials to International Organizations in Vienna

The new Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the International Organizations in Vienna, H.E. Mr. Vaidotas Verba, presented his credentials to the heads of the United Nations Office Vienna (UNOV), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Learn more about Ambassador Verba.

September 20, 2021 · Updated: September 20, 2021; 17:01

Meet the New Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic

The new Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Austria, H.E. Mr. Tolendy Makeyev, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Ambassador Makeyev is also the Permanent Representative of Kyrgyzstan to the International Organizations in Vienna. Learn more about him.

September 17, 2021

Ambassador of New Zealand Presents Credentials to International Organizations in Vienna

Mr. Brian Hewson, the Ambassador of New Zealand to Austria, presented his credentials to the international organizations in Vienna, making him the new Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the International Organizations in Vienna. Read about his background and what New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said about his appointment.

September 14, 2021

Kazakhstan Commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the Closure of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Weapons Test Site

The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Vienna is calling for the promotion of its anti-nuclear initiatives and to commemorate the long-term consequences of the legacy of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Weapons Test Site in eastern Ksakhstan.

September 1, 2021

President of Kazakhstan Receives CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd

At a press conference organized by the Kazakh Foreign Ministry in Nur-Sultan, the executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Robert Floyd, said on August 27 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk test site that the dismantling of the nuclear arsenal inherited by Kazakhstan after the collapse of the Soviet Union has proved to be a visionary, wise and noble decision.

August 27, 2021

CTBTO Has a New Executive Secretary

Australian scientist Dr. Robert Floyd became the new Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) after signing an appointment letter at the CTBTO headquarters in Vienna. Learn more about him.

August 5, 2021

CTBTO Leadership Election Heads Into Decisive Week

The Vienna-based UN institution of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) is heading for a hotly contested election for the leadership position of Executive Secretary this week.

May 16, 2021