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UN Migration Pact: Federal President Warns of the Loss of Austria's Reputation
In response to Austria's planned withdrawal from the UN Migration Pact, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen has addressed warning words to the federal government. The Federal President defends the Migration Pact and wants to conduct talks with Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Kneissl. Protests are also coming from across the country.
November 3, 2018
Setback for the UN - Austria Won't Sign Global Migration Pact
Austria will follow the US and Hungary in backing out of a United Nations pact on migration (Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration) over concerns that it will blur the line between illegal and legal migration.
October 31, 2018
UN Day - The United Nations Celebrated the Day it all Began
UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.
October 25, 2018
IAEA Laboratories in Seibersdorf - A Hub of Scientific Excellence
The laboratories of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are located in the town of Seibersdorf, where scientists carry out unique work in support of global peace and development. Located 35 kilometres south of Vienna, the 10 laboratories play an important role in the IAEA’s activities in the areas of nuclear verification, food and agriculture, human health, industrial applications and the environment. Recently Austrian President Van der Bellen paid a visit to Seibersdorf.
October 16, 2018
Criticism of the Treatment of Refugees - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Sends Team to Vienna
Next week, experts from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will visit Vienna to gather an impression of the human rights situation. The new High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Michelle Bachelet, had criticised Austria for not prioritising the return of migrants from Europe without ensuring that key international human rights obligations are met as a protective measure.
October 11, 2018
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
Key Border Control Strategies Identified at UNODC's Annual Law Enforcement Experts Meeting
A working document on informal standards for border management and control was drafted and shared with participants at UNODC's annual Law Enforcement Advisors Meeting (LEA), held recently in Vienna. The annual meeting allowed for the exchange of best practices within UNODC and with partners.
October 2, 2018
Israel - Austria Relations: Lifting of Sanctions Against Kneissl is Nearing
According to information in the daily newspapers "Die Presse" and "Der Standard" on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Israel plans to lift its ban on contacts with Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl. Netanyahu ordered Israeli authorities in December 2017 to refrain from contacts with FPÖ ministers. Although Kneissl is not a party member, she has been nominated by the Austrian Freedom Party FPÖ. However, the official Israeli contact ban will continue to apply to FPÖ government members.
September 26, 2018
League of Arab States: Meet Mohamed Samir Koubaa the Head of the Permanent Observer Mission in Vienna
The Tunisian and new Head of the Permanent Observer Mission for the League of Arab States to the United Nations (Vienna), Mohamed Samir Koubaa, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov.
September 21, 2018
International Day of Peace 2018: Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace. This year's Peace Day celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Join with people from the international community in Vienna by observing the International Day of Peace!
September 20, 2018
Experience Diplomacy: International Participants Simulate Current Issues Debates at the UN in Vienna
This year’s Vienna International Model United Nations (VIMUN) drew over 200 participants from all over the world to debate current issues in a simulation of United Nations meetings. The participants aged between 18 and 35 had the opportunity to not only act like real UN delegates but to contribute in an authentic setting at the UN Headquarters in Vienna.
September 18, 2018
Meet the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Austria: H.E. Mr. Ghislain D’Hoop
Ambassador Ghislain D’Hoop is officially the new Permanent Representative of Belgium to the international organizations in Vienna. He already presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov, to the Deputy Director-General of the IAEA, Aldo Malavasi, to the General Secretary of the CTBTO, Lassina Zerbo and to Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen.
September 14, 2018 · Updated: September 17, 2018; 14:00
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to Austria: H.E. Mr. Eric Anderson Machado
The new Ambassador of Peru to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna, Eric Anderson Machado, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov and to Aldo Malavasi, IAEA Acting Director General, and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications at the IAEA. His presentation to Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen is still on the agenda.
September 17, 2018
15th Anniversary of UN Convention Against Corruption: Tackling Corruption From the Top Down Essential
Corruption and complicity know no geographical boundaries, and it is society’s most vulnerable who get hurt the most, senior United Nations officials say, calling on Government leaders to fight the scourge, “from the top down”.
June 6, 2018
Environment Day: The World Must Unite to Beat Plastic Pollution
The world is being ‘swamped’ by harmful plastic waste says United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, marking Environment Day. Microplastic particles in the ocean, now outnumber stars in our galaxy.
June 5, 2018
Austrian Military Investigation into the Golan Heights Ambush: Soldiers' Actions Correct
In September 2012, Austrian UN soldiers on the Golan did not prevent Syrian security forces from entering a deadly ambush. The disciplinary assessment concludes that the conduct of Austria's soldiers had been stressful, but correct, so that the soldiers do not need to be prosecuted.
June 5, 2018
Meet OPEC's Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo
HE Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo is the current Secretary General of OPEC. He recently received a prestigious Energy Award for Lifetime Achievement for helping to stabilize the oil price again. He also gave an insight into how OPEC has regained its former strength under his guidance.
May 28, 2018
US Embassy Opening in Jerusalem: Palestinian Ambassador to Austria Called Back to Palestine in Protest
The Austrian Ambassador to Israel, Martin Weiss, was one of only four EU Ambassadors (Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania) who participated in the celebrations surrounding the US embassy relocation to Jerusalem. The Palestinian leadership pointed out some time ago that not only the act but also the timing is a violation of international law and relevant UN resolutions, as well as arrogant disrespect. Therefore, the Palestinian Ambassador to Austria, Salah Abdel Shafi, has been called back to Palestine for an indefinite period of time.
May 16, 2018
Austria, the OSCE and the Asia Pacific - Effective Multilateralism in a Globalized World
The Austrian Foreign Ministry in the framework of its Chairmanship of the OSCE Asian Contact Group (Afghanistan, Australia, Korea, Japan and Thailand), is organizing a conference on “Effective Multilateralism in a globalized world - The case of Europe and Asia Pacific” at Palais Niederösterreich, Vienna. The conference will focus on multilateral security mechanisms in Europe and the Asia Pacific region, as well as on economic connectivity and co-operation.
May 14, 2018
Update of Austria's Probe of UN Golan Troops Over Deaths of Syrians
According to media reports, the video, which shows the fatal incident in September 2012 on the Golan Heights, when Austrian blue helmet soldiers sent 9 Syrian security forces into a deadly ambush, was used as a "training film". In parallel with these reports, the former Defence Minister points out that the start of the Syrian Civil War has removed the basis of the UN mandate, which should focus exclusively on monitoring the ceasefire between Syria and Israel.
May 4, 2018
Meet the Ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein to Austria: H.S.H. Maria-Pia Kothbauer, Princess of Liechtenstein
Her Serene Highness Maria-Pia Kothbauer, Princess of Liechtenstein is the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Principality of Liechtenstein to Austria and the Czech Republic. She also serves as Liechtenstein's Permanent Representative to the OSCE and to the United Nations. She would explain the country of Liechtenstein to a stranger as follows: "One of Austria's eight neighbours, closely related to Vorarlberg in terms of landscape and character, a German-speaking constitutional hereditary monarchy with a highly-developed system of direct democracy, economically liberal, business-friendly and innovative, simultaneously urban and rural, debt-free, a country with a very high quality of life."
May 2, 2018
What does the Vienna-based ICMPD and its Director General Michael Spindelegger do?
The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) was founded in 1993 in Vienna on the initiative of Austria and Switzerland with the aim of making migration and mobility of people orderly, safe and regular, including through the implementation of planned and well managed migration policies. The aim is to counteract the often short-term thinking of governments so that sustainable solutions can be found and implemented in the medium and long term to combat and overcome the migration crisis. From this point of view, the tasks of the ICMPD have become extremely topical and important due to the refugee crisis.
April 26, 2018
International Congresses: Vienna Worldwide Number Two - UN Events Contribute 7% of Conference Nights
The Vienna meetings industry progresses from record to record. With 186 meetings, Vienna remains behind Paris with 196 meetings, number 2 in the Worldwide Ranking of the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association). In the year prior to that, Vienna was still in fifth place. The proportion of congresses that can be allocated exclusively to the United Nations is enormous and accounts for around 7% of overnight stays.
April 24, 2018
Austria's Role in Brussels' Syria Conference Rather Modest
Austria's recent efforts regarding Syria to make only 4 million additional euros available on the one hand, and Lawrow's clear rejection of Austria's possible mediation role in the Syrian conflict on the other, cannot be classified as a success. Rather than Vienna, the Brussels Conference will seek to resume the UN peace talks in Geneva.
April 24, 2018
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Vienna: The Prodigal Son's Interim Visit
Shortly before his planned heart operation Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Vienna to prepare the second R20 Austrian World Summit, scheduled to take place on May 15, 2018 in Vienna’s Hofburg Palace. Among others the former Governor of California met Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to discuss the upcoming summit. Last week Schwarzenegger had undergone emergency open-heart surgery following complications that arose during a planned heart valve replacement.
April 4, 2018
Vienna Based UN Agencies Join Forces to Combat Migrant Smuggling
At the United Nations in Vienna, IOM, the United Nations Migration Agency, and UNODC organized an event centring on a Joint Platform on Countering Migrant Smuggling. The aim of the initiative is to deny criminal traffickers the means and opportunity and end the impunity of smugglers.
March 30, 2018
World Happiness Report: Austria 12th Happiest Country in the World
In this year's World Happiness Report, published annually by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Austria comes in 12th place, one place better than a year ago. Finland is the happiest country in the world, but the other Scandinavian countries are also in the lead.
March 15, 2018
Austrian Ministerial Council Approves EUR 1.5 Mln for Iraq Humanitarian Aid and Resettlement
The Austrian Ministerial Council approves 1.5 million euros in funding for humanitarian aid and resettlement in Iraq. The humanitarian aid for the population in need on the ground and measures aimed at promoting resettlement are supposed to contribute towards managing the refugee crisis.
July 15, 2016
20 Years Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT): Ministerial Meeting at VIC
Marking the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), a Ministerial Meeting was held at Vienna International Center. Hosting some 40 international organizations, Austria is a hub for the promotion of peace, safety and security, sustainable development and the fight against crime, drug abuse and terrorism.
June 20, 2016
International Day of Yoga Celebrations in Vienna on 19th and 21st June
The United Nations General Assembly declared 21st June as the International Day of Yoga. The resolution adopted by the General Assembly invites everyone to observe that day as the International Day of Yoga. On occasion of the International Day of Yoga, the Embassy of India in Vienna is organizing the several events on 19th and 21st June, 2016.
June 15, 2016
OSCE Representative Dunja Mijatović Awarded Concordia Prize for Press Freedom
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović was awarded the Concordia Press Club Prize 2015 in the category of press freedom and freedom of information. The Concordia Press Club decided to award Mijatović the prize given her personal dedication to press freedom issues in 2015.
May 2, 2016
Ban Ki-moon's Visit to Vienna to Highlights Austria's Seat of a Total of 37 International Organisations
In the context of his visit to Vienna UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon met Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz for a working discussion at the Foreign Ministry. Talks focused on the challenges Austria and Europe are currently facing, especially in connection with the refugee crisis and the fight against radicalization and terrorism. A further topic addressed was the important role played by Austria as the seat and headquarters of a total of 37 international organisations.
April 29, 2016
Safety of Media Members Reporting on Refugee Crisis at Risk
OSCE Representative issues recommendations on rights and safety of members of the media reporting on refugees The challenging refugee situation in Europe also has implications for freedom of the media, not least with regard to the rights and safety of members of the media reporting on this important issue, Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today.
March 4, 2016
UK Appoints New Ambassador to Austria and the United Nations in Vienna
Mr. Leigh Turner CMG has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna. Mr. Turner currently serves as British Consul-General in Istanbul. After joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 1984 to 1987 he already has had a posting in Austria before Turkey. The new ambassador to the Republic of Austria will take up his post in August 2016.
February 18, 2016
Kurz: North Korea is Increasingly Isolating Itself from the International Community
Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz condemns the latest North Korean nuclear test in the strongest terms and underlines his full trust in the CTBTO.
January 11, 2016
Multi-Million-Dollar Funding Agreement between Qatar and UNODC Signed in Vienna
Unprecedented funding agreement between UNODC and Qatar leaves lasting legacy for Doha Declaration. The agreement, totaling more than US$49 million and slated to run over four years, is to deliver projects related to justice, prisoners, youth and justice education.
December 11, 2015
Attacks on Journalists are Attacks Against Freedom of Opinion and Democracy
The UN-General Assembly adopts a resolution on the safety of journalists co-sponsored by Austria. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sebastian Kurz declared on the occasion of the adoption of the Resolution on “The Safety of Journalists” by the 3rd Committee of the UN-General Assembly, the International Day to End Impunity: “Attacks against journalists silence important voices in society and thus impede the freedom of opinion."
November 26, 2015
In Pursuit of Peace and Security: How Gender Makes a Difference
Why is it important to include a gender perspective in peace processes and why does it matter if women are involved? These are issues that will be in focus at an OSCE Security Days event in Vienna on Friday, 13 November, which will explore the gender perspective of crisis prevention, conflict management and post-conflict rehabilitation.
November 11, 2015
A Global Labour Force: 230 Million International Migrants On Our Doorstep
OSCE expert meeting in Vienna focuses on effective policies for temporary, seasonal and circular labour migration. Some 70 representatives of OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, experts from international organizations, civil society and research centres discussed changing labour migration dynamics at an expert meeting that concluded in Vienna today on effective policies for temporary, seasonal and circular labour migration.
November 9, 2015
Press Freedom: Every Fifth Day a Journalist is Killed at Work
According to a report from Unesco, worldwide more than 700 reporters have been killed from 2006 to 2014 in the exercise of their profession. On International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the OSCE Representative calls on participating States to step up their investigations.
November 2, 2015
Austrian President and Various Ministers at the UN-General Assembly
Federal President Dr. Heinz Fischer, Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management Andrä Rupprechter and Minister for Education and Women’s Affairs Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek were in New York on the occasion of the leader’s week opening the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA).
October 8, 2015
UNODC and OSCE Develop Strategies to Reduce Drug Demand and Supply to Youth
UNODC, through its Deputy Executive Director, addressed a high-level conference aimed at enhancing the mechanisms to stem the increasing spread of illicit drugs amongst young people, organized under the Serbian Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The two-day event was held at the Hofburg palace in Vienna, bringing together practitioners from national administrations, representatives from youth initiatives and civil society organizations (CSOs) as well as international and regional organizations.
September 23, 2015
Alliance Against Trafficking in Persons Acts to Combat Human Trafficking
Protecting groups vulnerable to human trafficking along migration routes and in destination countries is the focus of the 2015 Alliance conference, where during the next two days leading experts are looking for new ways to assist at-risk migrants. “This has become an increasingly urgent international issue with serious security implications for the OSCE area and neighbouring regions,” Aleksandar Nikolić, Serbia’s State Secretary of the Interior Ministry, said on Monday.
July 6, 2015
Ambassador Martin Sajdik Becomes New OSCE Special Representative in Ukraine
The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today appointed Ambassador Martin Sajdik (Austria) as his new Special Representative in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group. He follows Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini (Switzerland) who, having fulfilled this assignment for one year, expressed her wish to step down.
June 23, 2015
International Day of Yoga Celebrations in Vienna
The United Nations General Assembly last year declared 21st June as the International Day of Yoga. The resolution adopted by the General Assembly invites everyone to observe that day as the International Day of Yoga. Hence, the International Day of Yoga celebrations in Vienna took place at Votiv Park, in the heart of Vienna, where people participated in good numbers to perform the exercises as per the common yoga protocol.
June 21, 2015
Conference on the Safety of Journalists to be Held in Vienna
The OSCE is hosting a conference on journalists’ safety and conflict reporting on 15-16 June in Vienna. The two-day event, “Journalists’ Safety, Media Freedom and Pluralism in Times of Conflict”, will bring together some 300 journalists, media experts, diplomats and key policy-makers from across the OSCE region to discuss and review the current situation relating to the safety of journalists reporting from conflicts.
June 12, 2015
Swedish Embassy in Vienna has New Premises
The Swedish Embassy/UN representation and the OSCE-delegation have moved to new premises with extensive entertainment facilities, Schwedenhaus Wien. This represents a new and unique concept which could be a model for how Sweden will be represented abroad in the future. As the Embassy also represents Sweden in Slovakia and Slovenia, Schwedenhaus Wien will have both a regional and multilateral (UN and OSCE) approach.
May 29, 2015
OSCE's Dunja Mijatović Lauds UN Security Council Resolution on Protection of Journalists
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović welcomed the UN Security Council’s passing today of Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists.
May 27, 2015
UNODC: Opening of Refugee Exhibition in Vienna Reinforces Need to Support Vulnerable Smuggled Migrants
An exhibition at the Vienna International Centre on the suffering of conflict refugees fleeing to Turkey offered an opportunity for UNODC to showcase its own ongoing activities against migrant smuggling as well as tackling other forms of organized crime, including money laundering.
April 17, 2015
People in the News: UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov
Yuri Viktorovich Fedotov (born 1947) is a high level diplomat of the Russian Federation. Since 2010 he has served as the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna with the rank of Under-Secretary-General, after having previously served as the Ambassador of Russia to the United Kingdom.
March 27, 2015
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