UN United Nations
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
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
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
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
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
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
Vienna Migration Agency Develops Recommendations for EU
Entitled "Breaking the gridlock and moving forward: Recommendations for the next five years of EU migration policy", participants of the Vienna Migration Conference 2019 will explore migration policy options and the formulation of future strategies.
October 11, 2019
Indian Embassy Vienna: 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
On the occasion of the Gandhi Jayanti National Day on October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi in 1869, revered as the father of the Indian nation, the Embassy of India in Vienna organized two events with Dr. Shobhana Radhakrishna, an "Eminent Citizen" of India; a talk titled "Popular Diplomacy and the Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi" at the Vienna International Center, and a lecture on "Transformational Leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and its Relevance in Contemporary World".
October 3, 2019
Protecting Civilians in Urban Warfare: Will You Help?
During the two-day Vienna Conference, representatives of more than 100 states, international organisations and civil society as well as stakeholders discussed concrete measures to protect the civilian population and the elaboration of a possible political declaration within the framework of the United Nations.
October 3, 2019
Austrian President and Chancellor at UN General Assembly
President Van der Bellen, Chancellor Bierlein, Environment Minister Maria Patek and activist Anika Dafert attended the 74th UN General Assembly in New York.
September 25, 2019
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at UN General Assembly
Tight schedule at the Annual General Meeting in New York City. Meetings with counterparts from Iran, Javad Zarif, Belarus, Vladimir Makei and Iraq, Mohamed Ali Alhakim and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer. A speech to the UN General Assembly is scheduled for Thursday. The strengthening of Vienna as a UN location is also on the agenda.
September 24, 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
Multilateralism: Austrian Delegation at UN General Assembly in New York City
Federal Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein is attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York together with Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Sustainability Minister Maria Patek. Schallenberg speaks as Austria's representative.
September 20, 2019
War in Yemen: 1 Million Euro for UNICEF
One million euros in humanitarian funds from the Foreign Disaster Fund has been disbursed by the Austrian Government to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
September 12, 2019
40th Anniversary of the VIC: Open House Day an Organizational Fiasco
The so-called Open House Day for the 40th anniversary of the VIC Vienna International Centre (UNO City) turned out to be an organizational disaster on Sunday, when thousands of people from 200 nations had to wait for hours in an almost 500 meter long queue to be admitted.
September 9, 2019
Ban Ki-moon at the Forum Alpbach: Promoting the SDGs in Europe with a Global Mindset
Delivering a keynote, Chairman Ban Ki-moon encouraged all national leaders to act as global leaders with a global citizenship mindset, which he said is a truly crucial asset for every individual to have in order to achieve sustainable development in a global society.
August 29, 2019
European Forum Alpbach: Promoting the SDGs in Europe
At the European Forum in Alpbach, Tyrol, experts, diplomats and politicians discussed the promotion of UN sustainability goals in Europe.
August 29, 2019
IAEA Memorial Ceremony in Honour of Director General Yukiya Amano
At a memorial service held at IAEA headquarters in Vienna in the presence of Mrs. Yukika Amano, dignitaries, diplomats, IAEA colleagues and member states paid tribute to late Director General Yukiya Amano, who passed away last month. Attendees included Heinz Fischer, Alexander Schallenberg and Satoshi Suzuki, Japan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
August 23, 2019
Vienna International Centre Invites Expats and Locals for Anniversary Event
The United Nations headquarters in Vienna is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of international diplomacy. Come and see inside the VIC Vienna International Centre as part of its anniversary events.
August 13, 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 the New Resident Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna
The new Resident Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna, HE Mr. Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, presented his credentials to Mary Alice Hayward, Acting Director General and Head of the Department of Management at the IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency. He also presented his credentials to Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov.
August 5, 2019
U.S. Senate Confirms Kelly Craft as Ambassador to United Nations
The US senate has confirmed the 57 year old American businesswoman and diplomat Kelly Knight Craft as the next US ambassador to the UN United Nations. She will replace Nikki Haley who resigned last year.
August 1, 2019
Cultural Diplomacy: International Friendship Day Important for Preserving Peace
Causes of conflicts and crises worldwide are often cultural differences and misunderstandings between peoples. These threaten peace, security, development and social peace. After long efforts, this day was also proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2011. Vindobona.org, an intercultural portal that promotes international understanding and cultural exchange in the metropolis of Vienna, strongly supports Friendship Day.
July 30, 2019
Devastating - Austria is Only the 21st Most Innovative Country in the World
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) named Austria's neighbor Switzerland as the world’s most innovative country, during the launch of its latest Global Innovation Index. Austria isn't even in the top 20. Biggest issues are the stagnation of public expenditure on research and development and the increase of economic protectionism.
July 26, 2019
IAEA - Romanian Ambassador has been Designated Acting Director General
Ambassador Cornel Feruta of Romania, head-coordinator of the IAEA since 2013, has been responsible for coordinating the Agency's internal and external activities. As a consequence of the recent passing away of Director General Yukiya Amano, he has been designated Acting Director General at the IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency.
July 25, 2019
IAEA Member States Pay Tribute to Late Director General Yukiya Amano
During a Board of Governors meeting held at the IAEA headquarters, Member States paid their respects to Director General Yukiya Amano, who recently passed away. Delegations expressed deep sadness and a sense of great loss at his passing, commending Mr. Amano for his dedication and devotion to the work of the Agency and to the peaceful uses of nuclear technology for the benefit of people around the world.
July 25, 2019
Austrian Volker Türk Sworn In UN Deputy Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination
UN Secretary-General António Guterres swore in Austrian Volker Türk as Deputy Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination. The Australian Gillian Triggs succeeds him.
July 25, 2019
IAEA Nuclear Watchdog Chief Yukiya Amano Died at 72
The boss of the Vienna-based IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano is dead. The Japanese was 72 years old. The longtime Japanese diplomat held the IAEA's top job since December 2009. The cause of his death is unclear. According to IAEA, Amano passed away as a result of his illness. Amano’s death comes at a time of increasing concerns and escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.
July 22, 2019 · Updated: July 24, 2019; 13:00
UN Chief Guterres Voices Deep Sadness at Death of IAEA Chief Amano
UN chief António Guterres paid tribute, saying he was deeply saddened to hear the news of his death.
July 23, 2019
Schallenberg Represents Austria in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg travelled to Geneva on the occasion of the current meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Last year Austria was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2019 to 2021.
July 2, 2019
Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg at EU Foreign Affairs Council for the First Time
In Luxembourg, Federal Minister Alexander Schallenberg represented Austria for the first time at the FAC Foreign Affairs Council and the Council of the European Union.
June 21, 2019
Get to Know Austria's New Minister of Defence Thomas Starlinger
Thomas Starlinger (56) is an Austrian officer (Major General), consultant and politician. He is regarded as a proponent of a professional army. Most recently, he worked as an adjutant to Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, who also appointed him Federal Minister of Defence on 3 June 2019.
June 18, 2019
Closure of Controversial King Abdullah Center in Vienna Decided
The Austrian National Council has decided to close the King Abdullah Centre in Vienna. The KAICIID - King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, which is largely financed by Saudi Arabia, has long been controversial. The imminent death sentence of 18-year-old Murtaja Qureiris in Saudi Arabia was the immediate cause. The majority decision of parliament must now be implemented by the Foreign Ministry under Alexander Schallenberg. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) spoke out in favour of a new centre under the auspices of the UN.
June 13, 2019
Celebrate the International Day of Yoga by Exercising
The Indian Embassy in Vienna invites all Yoga enthusiasts to the free International Day of Yoga 2019 in the Vienna Stadtpark. In addition, the United Nations in Vienna invites all yoga fans to "Yoga with Gurus", followed by a panel discussion.
June 12, 2019
Cooperation of the Metropolises Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich
The three German-speaking cities of Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich want to cooperate more closely in their sustainable development within the framework of a city trialogue in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
June 12, 2019
Global Compact for Migration: Top UN Refugee Agency Diplomat Volker Türk at the Kreisky Forum
Austria's top diplomat in the UNHCR, a United Nations Programme, the international law expert Dr. Volker Türk has made an appeal to governments, NGOs and individuals to rethink refugee protection and to implement the UN Global Compact for Refugees adopted in 2018.
June 6, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - The Tireless Commitment of António Guterres
UN Secretary General António Guterres completed a busy programme when he came to Vienna for the 40th anniversary celebrations and the R20 Austria World Summit. The VIC Vienna International Centre is the place where, with the help of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the 193 member states, 15 Vienna-based UN organisations and more than 5000 people from 125 countries from around the world are bound together.
May 31, 2019
Combat Climate Change - António Guterres' Remarks at the R20 Austrian World Summit
Because of climate change all around the world the sea level is rising, floods, drought, wildfires and extreme storms appear, and people are now losing their homes and being forced to migrate. Read what António Guterres had to say in Vienna after a trip to the South Pacific.
May 30, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - Guterres, Kneissl and Ludwig at Ceremony
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the VIC Vienna International Centre (UNO-City), UN Secretary General António Guterres, former Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig attended a ceremony at the Vienna headquarters of the United Nations.
May 30, 2019
"Climate Kirtag" with Greta Thunberg and Arnold Schwarzenegger
The climate protection conference "R20 Austrian World Summit" at the Heldenplatz in Vienna ended with appeals by climate protection activist Greta Thunberg and Arnold Schwarzenegger at the "Climate Kirtag".
May 29, 2019
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Greta Thunberg at the Vienna Climate Summit
The 16-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger are campaigning in the Vienna Hofburg for a stronger commitment against the climate crisis.
May 28, 2019
EU and UN - 40 Years Together in Vienna
Both the UN United Nations and the EU European Union celebrate their 40th anniversary in Vienna. The Delegation of the European Union to the International Organisations in Vienna was established as soon as the United Nations opened their Vienna headquarters in 1979.
May 27, 2019
40 Years of the Vienna International Centre
The United Nations headquarters in Vienna is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, marking four decades of diplomacy in Vienna. The VIC Vienna International Centre, also known locally as "UNO City", was officially inaugurated on 23 August 1979. Today, more than 5,000 employees from more than 125 countries are working to improve the lives of people around the world through the United Nations family of organizations and agencies in Vienna.
May 8, 2019
UNESCO - Austria Awarded Two More World Heritage Sites
In addition to the currently troubled "Historical Centre of Vienna", which is to be preserved as a World Heritage Site, two other Austrian sites will be added to the World Heritage List at the next UNESCO meeting in Baku at the end of June. The "Danubian Limes" (Donaulimes), part of the former border of the Roman Empire, and the "Grossglockner High Alpine Road", the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria. Thus Austria will have 12 World Heritage Sites starting in summer 2019.
May 6, 2019
Austrian Volker Türk Appointed Top UN Official
The Austrian lawyer and UN official Volker Türk was appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as one of his deputies with the title Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination.
April 19, 2019
International Mine Awareness Day: By 2025 We Want to Make the World Minefree
Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl stresses Austria's commitment to the International Mine Awareness Day. In the last 20 years Austria has provided more than 33 million euros for mine action and supported projects in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Mozambique, Ukraine and other countries.
April 4, 2019
Former Top Indian Diplomat Returns to Vienna
Shivshankar Menon, former Foreign Secretary and National Security Adviser of India, who speaks some German, will visit Vienna in April, where he regularly visited the IAEA from 2008 to 2014, as a member of India's Atomic Energy Commission. At a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are particularly high, he will talk about "The New Asian Geopolitics".
March 28, 2019
Sergey Lavrov to Participate in Session of UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the annual meeting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs at the Vienna International Center and also met Federal President van der Bellen during his visit to exchange ideas.
March 14, 2019
Evo Morales in Vienna to Present Bolivia's Anti-Drug Policy
Bolivian President Morales took part in the annual meeting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs at the Vienna International Center and was in Vienna on this occasion. He also met Federal President Alexander van der Bellen.
March 14, 2019
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