UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica to Austria: H.E. Mr. Alejandro Solano Ortiz

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to Austria, H.E. Mr. Alejandro Solano Ortiz presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg. In September 2021 he was named the Chairperson of the Group of 77 (G-77) Vienna Chapter.

November 7, 2018 · Updated: September 13, 2021; 11:00

UNIDO Headquarters Vienna: A German Is to Become the Next Director General

Germany's Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Mr. Gerd Müller has been selected to become the next Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Learn more about Mr. Müller and read what he and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said about his nomination.

August 18, 2021

Rich History of the U.S. Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna

The U.S. Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna has a very rich history. Learn more about it.

July 5, 2021 · Updated: August 12, 2021; 18:00

Vienna International Centre - Live-Ticker Coronavirus Situation: Several New Positive COVID-19 Cases, 380 Cases in Total

The Vienna International Centre (VIC, UNO City) and the Vienna International Centre Medical Service are reporting new positive COVID-19 cases. The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 380. Below you can see the latest updates of the four main Vienna-based United Nations organizations (United Nations Office at Vienna/UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN Industrial Development Organization and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization), as announced by UNIS and provided by the Vienna International Centre Medical Service. Regular updates on the number of cases of are no longer issued

June 25, 2020 · Updated: August 9, 2021; 17:25

Meet the New Ambassador of Slovenia to Austria

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Aleksander Geržina, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. He was already Ambassador to Austria from 2009 to 2013. Learn more about his background.

July 13, 2021

COVID-19 Hinders the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting the implementation and achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the same time the pandemic serves as a strong wake-up call for the international community to build a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future as summarised under the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

November 5, 2020

UNIDO Partners Up With Women Leadership Forum to Hold Special Event

UNIDO and the European Brand Institute have organized the 8th Women Leadership Forum, which was held as a hybrid event in Vienna. International successful women as well as other supportive public figures have gathered together to empower women.

October 1, 2020

Meet the New Bangladeshi Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna

HE Muhammad Abdul Muhith, the new Ambassador of Bangladesh to Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia, and the new Permanent Representative to the United Nations and to the International Organizations in Vienna recently presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly and to Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of CTBTO PrepCom - Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization.

September 15, 2020

Vienna Based UNIDO Holds Expert Panel to Discuss Developments in Industry and Society

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization hosted an expert panel about the future of industry and society. Main topics were the advancement of attaining the sustainable development goals and shaping society as a whole.

August 21, 2020

Meet the New Ambassador of Mexico to Austria: H.E. Mr. Luis Javier Campuzano Piña

The new Ambassador of the United Mexican States to Austria, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia, H.E. Mr. Luis Javier Campuzano Piña presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg. He is also the new Permanent Representative of Mexico to the international organizations in Vienna.

July 12, 2020 · Updated: July 13, 2020; 10:20

Arab - Austrian Expert Forum on the Economic Challenges in Light of Corona Pandemic

The economic obstacles that the Arab world faces due to the wide spread of the coronavirus, the enormous medical efforts that are being made to find a cure for this virus, and the challenges that the economic and trade relations between Arab countries and Austria in particular face in times of the coronavirus, were the main topics that centered around the geneticist and molecular immunologist Prof. Dr. Josef Penninger.

June 22, 2020

Vienna International Centre Prepares to Return to Work

In the last two months, i.e. since Monday, 16 March, most of the Vienna International Centre staff have been working from home. From Friday, May 15th, the VIC will start the gradual return to "normal operation". A long-awaited step that will take place gradually and carefully, with the health and well-being of everyone at the VIC remaining the top priority.

May 13, 2020

Vienna International Centre: Meanwhile Nine COVID-19 Cases Among VIC Personnel

The VIC Medical Service reports, that there are three more confirmed cases of COVID-19 involving VIC personnel. Still, all employees of the organizations located at the VIC are to work from their home offices. Update: As of March, 31, the cumulative total of COVID-19 among VIC personnel is 10 cases. Update: As of Tuesday, March 31, the cumulative total of COVID-19 among VIC personnel is 10 cases.

March 30, 2020 · Updated: March 31, 2020; 22:30

UN Secretary General: "COVID-19 Threatens All Humanity"

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres launches a worldwide UN emergency appeal for help to combat the pathogen of the lung disease Covid-19 in the poorest countries of the world. The war chest is to be filled with two billion US-dollars by the end of the year.

March 26, 2020

Already Six Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in the VIC Community

While 4750 of the approximately 5000 international diplomats, scientists and support staff working at the VIC (UN in Vienna/UNODC, IAEA, UNIDO and CTBTO PrepCom) still have to work from home, it has been revealed that a total of six employees have now been infected with coronavirus.

March 26, 2020

Vienna International Centre: Second COVID-19 Case - Staff Stay at Home Until April 13

In the meantime, there is a second confirmed case of coronavirus infection at the Vienna International Centre (VIC). In addition, the safety measures taken are being extended. All employees of the organizations located at the VIC are to work from their home offices until Monday April 13, 2020.

March 21, 2020

UN Vienna at the Home Office: Instead of 5000 Staff, only 250

The VIC Vienna International Centre informed today that the order that the staff of the four major UN agencies stationed at the VIC should work from home is bearing fruit, and that only about 250 would come to the VIC. Further measures to reduce attendance are planned.

March 18, 2020

First COVID-19 Case at Vienna International Centre Confirmed

The VIC Vienna International Centre (UNO-City) confirms the first case of coronavirus infection, according to which a person who was thought to have contracted influenza as early as 2 March is now infected with coronavirus after all. According to the VIC, none of the first responders have developed any symptoms in the last 14 days.

March 17, 2020

Coronavirus: VIC Sends Staff to Work from Home

The Vienna International Centre (VIC, UNO-City) is intensifying its security measures against the coronavirus. All employees of the organizations based at the VIC are to work from home from Monday, 16 March to Friday, 3 April. Update: On Sunday, 15 March, the UNIS United Nations Information Service concretised the specifications of the main Vienna-based UN organisations as outlined below.

March 12, 2020 · Updated: March 15, 2020; 17:00

COVID-19 at the VIC - IAEA Director General's Message: "The IAEA continues"

Vienna-based nuclear agancy implements drastic measures following recommendations from Austrian authorities.

March 14, 2020

Coronavirus: VIC schickt Mitarbeiter zur Heimarbeit

Das Vienna International Centre (VIC) verstärkt seine Sicherheitsmaßnahmen gegen das Coronavirus. Alle Angestellten der, im VIC ansässigen Organisationen, sollen von Montag, dem 16. März bis Freitag, dem 3. April von Zuhause aus arbeiten.

March 12, 2020

Vienna International Centre Adopts Security Measures against the Coronavirus

In order to ensure the security of the approximately 5000 international diplomats, scientists and support staff working at the VIC, the heads of the 4 largest organizations UN in Vienna/UNODC, IAEA, UNIDO and CTBTO PrepCom have today decided on a number of the following measures.

March 11, 2020

UN Vienna Presents Priorities and Key Events in 2020

UNIS United Nations Information Service and the Vienna-based UN organizations and agencies showed up with their teams at the Annual Presentation of the UN Priorities and Key Events at the premises of its partner organisation, UNA-Austria. Among the speakers were Kai Bethke (UNIDO), Fredrik Dahl (IAEA), Brian Hansford (UNODC) and Gill Tudor (CTBTO).

January 15, 2020

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

City of Vienna Positions Itself at UNIDO Silk Road Conference

At the recent two-day international silk road conference hosted by UNIDO, the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, represented by location lawyer Alexander Biach, took a stand and presented the opportunities and advantages of the Vienna region and the possibilities of a connection to the new Silk Road (Belt and Road Initiative).

September 24, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Prince Abdullah Bin Khaled Bin Sultan Al Saud

The new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Austria, Prince Abdullah Bin Khaled Bin Sultan Al Saud presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg. He is also non-resident ambassador to Slovakia and Slovenia.

September 20, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of Qatar to Austria: H.E. Sultan Salmeen Al-Mansouri

The new Ambassador of Qatar to Austria, H.E. Sultan Salmeen Al-Mansouri presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

September 20, 2019

What Does Vienna Have in Common with the New Silk Road?

In order to ensure sustainable development, the cities along the New Silk Road also have to face major infrastructural and social challenges, as well as climate-ecological challenges. More than 1000 participants from more than 178 cities are expected in September in the Vienna International Center for UNIDO's Bridge for Cities Conference as part of the Belt & Road Initiative.

August 12, 2019

Meet Thailand's New Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna: H.E. Ms. Morakot Sriswasdi

The new Permanent Representative of Thailand to the International Organizations in Vienna, Morakot Sriswasdi, presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and to Yukiya Amano, IAEA Director General.

May 6, 2019

UNIDO Supports the Philippines Achieving Its Development Goals - Secretary of Foreign Affairs in Vienna

The Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines H.E. Mr. Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. visited the UNIDO in Vienna to meet Li Yong, the Director General. “The Government of the Philippines highly appreciates UNIDO’s relevance in helping the country achieve its development goals.”

March 22, 2019

Iraqi Expert Roundtable in Vienna - How to Reconstruct the City of Mosul?

More than 70 experts from Iraq, Austria and the relevant international community met in Vienna at the invitation of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce to discuss the reconstruction of the devastated northern Iraqi city of Mosul and find solutions. Here is the report of the Expert's Round Table on the Reconstruction of the City of Mosul.

March 14, 2019

Meet UNIDO's Director General Li Yong

Li Yong (李勇), born in 1951, is a senior economic and financial policymaker from the People’s Republic of China. He is the current Director General of UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization, based in Vienna, Austria. Previously he served as Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China.

February 22, 2019

Overseas Chinese in Vienna Celebrate Spring Festival and Start of Year of the Earth Pig

The Chinese Ambassador to Austria, H.E. Li Xiaosi and the Director General of UNIDO, Mr. Li Yong, toasted the Chinese New Year together with Mayor Ludwig and other Viennese Overseas Chinese.

February 13, 2019

Meet the Ambassador of the State of Israel to Austria: H.E. Ms. Talya Lador-Fresher

Ambassador Talya Lador-Fresher has been Ambassador of the State of Israel in Austria since 2015 and is Israel's permanent representative at the International Organizations in Vienna. She once told "The Diplomatic Club", that "It is hard to be a diplomat, it is harder to be an Israeli diplomat and even harder to be an Israeli woman diplomat."

January 30, 2019

Visit the United Nations Family in Vienna and Get to Know Its Members

Are you a committed citizen and want to learn how the United Nations works? Would you like to find out more about how the UN made its home in Vienna, one of the four global UN headquarters?

January 18, 2019

Vienna International Centre Celebrates 40th Anniversary in 2019

In 2019, the VIC Vienna International Centre (commonly known as UNO City) is celebrating its 40th anniversary. More than 4,000 employees from over 110 countries work here. Vienna is one of the four headquarters of the United Nations alongside New York, Geneva and Nairobi. Find out which 19 organisations the United Nations family in Vienna includes and what they do in Vienna.

January 18, 2019

Meet Austria's New Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna: H.E. Ms. Gabriela Sellner

Following her appointment by the Austrian Council of Ministers in April last year, Dr.a Gabriela Sellner has now been accredited as Head of the Permanent Mission to the United Nations (Vienna), IAEA, UNIDO and CTBTO.

January 11, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of Brazil to Austria: H.E. Mr. José Antônio Marcondes de Carvalho

The new Ambassador of Brazil to Austria and to the International Organizations in Vienna, H.E. Mr. José Antônio Marcondes de Carvalho presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov and to the Director General of UNIDO, Li Yong. On 7 December 2018, he presented Federal President Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen at the Presidential Chancellery with his letter of credentials.

November 30, 2018 · Updated: December 10, 2018; 13:10

Vienna International School Turned 40 Years Old

Exactly forty years ago the VIS Vienna International School was set up to provide a truly international education for the children in the Viennese international community especially those associated with the United Nations. The school was therefore located very close to the VIC Vienna International Centre. Since then it has established itself as a school of international understanding and cosmopolitanism.

October 9, 2018

Austro-Arab Energy Community Meets in Vienna to Discuss International Cooperation

The 10th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition took place in Vienna yesterday, organized by the AACC Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the City of Vienna and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RECREEE). Under the general theme "Energy Transition - Urban Technology and Sustainable Cities", New Opportunities for International Cooperation and Partnerships, representatives from EU institutions, international organizations, funds, European and international financial institutions as well as ministers and high-ranking personalities from the Arab economy met representatives of the local economy, politics and business community. Participants included Nabil R. Kuzbari, Richard Schenz, Michael Ludwig, Omar Al-Rawi, Mahdi Allak, Johannes Peterlik, Samir Koubaa, Michael Esterl and Li Yong.

October 2, 2018

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Vienna Surprisingly Recalled

Sri Lanka's President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena has recalled his ambassador to Austria, Mrs. Priyanee Wijesekera. The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry has confirmed this, but has not given any official reason for the recall.

September 17, 2018 · Updated: September 18, 2018; 09:01

UNIDO: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through Chemical Leasing

In 2004, with the support of the Government of Austria, UNIDO launched its Global Chemical Leasing Programme, promoting a business model that marks a paradigm shift from increasing the sales volume of chemicals toward a value-added approach. The fourth Global Chemical Leasing award ceremony will take place on 6 November 2018 in Vienna, Austria. It will be part of the Green Chemistry Conference 2018 within the Trio Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) programme, "Smart and Sustainable Europe", held during Austria's EU Presidency.

June 8, 2018

Vienna Energy Forum and the R20 Austrian World Summit 2018: Feedback of a Participant

At the Vienna Energy Forum and the R20 Austrian World Summit recently held in Vienna, Beatriz Mayor of IIASA - International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis also participated, who shares her interesting insights as follows.

June 6, 2018

Vienna Energy Forum 2018: Sustainable Energy Provision as a Key to Tackling Poverty

The sixth Vienna Energy Forum 2018 was held from 14 to 16 May, 2018, at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) and the Hofburg Imperial Palace. It was attended by over 1,800 participants from 130 countries, including prime ministers, ministers, high-level government officials, permanent mission representatives, chairs of the regional groups, donors, as well as representatives of the EU, the private sector and development finance institutions.

May 16, 2018

Top Energy Events Put Vienna in the Focus of the Global Clean Energy Economy

The Vienna Energy Forum 2018 in May in Vienna brings together a multitude of people and institutions to discuss and solve the key questions of the present on the topic of energy. Among them are heads of state, ministers, energy experts, representatives of international and non-governmental organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector. The PFAN Climate and Clean Energy Investment Forum and the R20 Austria World Summit are also part of this huge event. This event, sponsored by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a high-level summit about leadership on implementing the Paris Climate Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

April 19, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna: H.E. Mr. Mitsuru Kitano

H.E. Mr. Mitsuru Kitano is the Permanent Representative and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna. Just recently Ambassador Kitano together with the host, UNIDO's Director-General Li Yong, attended a joint event for launching UNIDO projects in Etiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Liberia, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria, after the government of Japan has confirmed that it will contribute over US$5.2 million to projects in these 8 countries.

April 4, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of Japan to Austria: H.E. Mr. Kiyoshi Koinuma

H.E. Mr. Kiyoshi Koinuma is the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan to Austria as well as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Japan to Kosovo and Macedonia.

April 3, 2018

Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, Austria / 在ウィーン国際機関日本政府代表部

Updated address, contact and mission details of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna, Austria (Ständige Vertretung Japans bei den Internationalen Organisationen in Wien), including its priorities in the nine international organizations where the Permanent Mission of Japan (PMJ) is engaged.

March 12, 2018

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