28 August 2009
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Vienna, Austria, and gave a keynote speech at a ceremony organized by the Austrian Government to mark the 30th anniversary of the United Nations headquarters in Vienna (Vienna International Centre).
Around 1,000 people, including the Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Minister for European and International Affairs (Foreign Minister) Michael Spindelegger, President of the Parliament Barbara Prammer, the Mayor of Vienna Michael Haeupl, heads of Vienna-based UN organizations, members of parliament, diplomats, civil society representatives, media, the private sector and staff members, attended.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary-General thanked Austria for its significant contribution to the United Nations in German, and said: "When this Centre opened its doors in 1979, it was a bridge between East and West during the Cold War. Now it is a twenty-first century hub for addressing human security issues at the heard of a united Europe."
Secretary-General Ban spoke of the importance of the work of all the Vienna-based UN organizations adding: "From outer space to the human heart, this Vienna International Centre has done far more than witness history; it has brought great progress to our world."
He also spoke of the Austrian spirit of service as exemplified by the story of a young Austrian United Nations Volunteer working in Somalia who continued with her work to help Somalis in need despite being attacked.
One of the musical highlights of the event was the first live performance of a special song called 'Seal the Deal' by the Austrian band, My Excellence. The song was composed to promote the Secretary-General's 'Seal the Deal' campaign on climate change. The Secretary-General thanked the band for supporting his campaign to reach an effective agreement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.
There were also musical performances of the Voices for Peace - Timna Brauer and Elias Meiri Ensemble featuring Marwan Abado.
The Austrian Federal President, Heinz Fischer, said: "Since becoming a member of the United Nations Austria has consistently endeavoured to support this organization in the best possible way and I can reassure you that the same will be the case in the future." The President also spoke of Austria's commitment to peacekeeping.
Welcoming the United Nations Secretary-General, the Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Michael Spindelegger, said the ceremony acknowledged both the achievements of the UN organizations and entities based in Vienna and Austria's commitment to the United Nations. He said it was one of his foreign policy priorities to reinforce Vienna's position as a platform for peace and dialogue. He thanked all the staff at the Vienna International Centre: "Constructive dialogue and solution-oriented thinking - the so-called Vienna Spirit - have always been major characteristics of international organizations here in Vienna. You are all excellent examples of this spirit."
The Mayor of Vienna, Michael Häupl, said that the United Nations building 'UNO-City' as it is known by the Viennese, has become a true landmark of Vienna: "The prominent building has shaped the skyline of modern Vienna from the very beginning. It is a symbol of Vienna as a modern and open minded city."
For further information:
30 years Vienna International Centre
Information kit (PDF)
30 Ways the United Nations in Vienna Makes a Difference (PDF)
