UN United Nations
Portrait: New Permanent Representative of Poland H.E. Dr. Dominika Krois Presents Credentials
Recently, Ms. Dominika Krois became the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the United Nations Office and the International Organisations in Vienna.
February 28, 2020
Vienna International Centre: First Suspected Case of COVID-19
The first suspected case of coronavirus infection was reported today from the Vienna International Centre. More than 5,000 employees from more than 125 countries are working in the VIC, also known locally as "UNO City". The UN family in Vienna consists of about 36 international organizations. Wednesday at 4:54 p.m. the all-clear was given. The patient tested negative for the virus.
February 26, 2020 · Updated: February 26, 2020; 16:54
Portrait: New Permanent Representative of Andorra to the International Organizations in Vienna
The new Permanent Representative of Principality of Andorra to the United Nations (Vienna), who is also the new Ambassador to Austria, Jaume Serra Serra, presented his credentials to the Deputy Director-General for the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Dennis Thatchaichawalit.
February 21, 2020
Headquarters Agreement with OPEC Fund Limits Privileges and Immunities
An amendment to the Headquarters Agreement between Austria and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) is intended to bring the 1981 Convention up to date and comparable with modern Headquarters Agreements.
February 18, 2020
Counter-Terrorism: Challenges Posed by Foreign Fighters Returning from Conflict Areas
Security conference in Vienna calls on countries to address challenges posed by foreign terrorist fighters in respect of international law.
February 12, 2020
Permanent Representative of El Salvador Presents Credentials
The new Permanent Representative of El Salvador to the United Nations in Vienna, Julia Emma Villatoro Tario, presented her credentials to the Director-General of UNOV, Ghada Waly. Find her resume as follows.
February 11, 2020
Schallenberg Completes UN Headquarters and Washington, D.C. Visit
After talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination Volker Türk, US Secretary-General Mike Pompeo and others, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg ended his visit to the USA. The focus was on the 75th anniversary of the UN and Austria's 65th anniversary of UN membership.
February 7, 2020
Schallenberg Met UN Secretary General Guterres
UN Secretary-General Guterres met with Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg.
February 6, 2020
Vienna as a Centre of International Diplomacy - Mayor Ludwig Welcomes Ghada Waly
Mayor Michael Ludwig received the new Director General of the United Nations in Vienna, Ghada Waly, at the Vienna City Hall.
February 6, 2020
New UN Drugs and Crime Agency Boss Took Office
Ghada Fathi Waly is the Director-General/Executive Director of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV)/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) since 1 February 2020, following her appointment by Secretary-General António Guterres. She holds the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
February 5, 2020
Inaugural Visit of the New UNODC Boss Ms. Ghada Waly
Ghada Fathi Waly, the new Executive Director of UNODC and the new Director-General of UNOV, met Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen for talks during her inaugural visit.
February 4, 2020
UNWG International Festival - Charity Bazaar 2020 at the Austria Center Vienna
Once again this year, 20,000 visitors from all nations are expected at the 52nd Bazaar of the United Nations Womens Guild Vienna (UNWG) at the Austria Center Vienna. With the sale of culinary delicacies, products and handicrafts from over 80 countries, the UNWG collects money for needy children. The proceeds will again be donated to charitable organizations.
February 4, 2020
Schallenberg in NYC and in Washington, D.C.
During his three-day visit to the USA, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg will meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, among others. The participation at the National Prayer Breakfast is also on the agenda.
February 4, 2020
UN Executive Director Yury Fedotov Bids Farewell to Vienna
The Russian diplomat Yury Fedotov, who was - until December 31, 2019 - the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and also the Director-General of the UN Office at Vienna (UNOV) has now officially taken his leave.
January 30, 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
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
