UNIS/INF/237
6 September 2007
Kofi Annan to be Honoured at VIC
Building to be named after him
VIENNA, 6 September (UN Information Service) -- The former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, will pay an official visit to Vienna on 10-12 September 2007 at the invitation of the Government of Austria.
At the Vienna International Centre (VIC), Mr. Annan will be the guest of honour at the naming ceremony of the Kofi Annan Building (Tower E). Mr. Annan will be greeted by the Director-General, United Nations Office at Vienna, Antonio Maria Costa. The Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs Ursula Plassnik will grace the ceremony, at which heads of Vienna-based organizations, the diplomatic community and staff will also be present.
"This is a fitting tribute to a man of who has done so much for humankind, and who has raised the profile of the United Nations in Vienna", said Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Antonio Maria Costa. He also hailed the former Secretary-General as a founding father of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recalling how in 1997 Mr. Annan designated the Office as the centre of the United Nations fight against "uncivil society" - drugs, crime and terrorism.
During his visit to Austria, Mr. Annan will meet with Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer and will be awarded the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (Grand Cross) by the President. Mr. Annan will also meet with Federal Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, the President of Parliament Barbara Prammer, the Minister for European and International Affairs Ursula Plassnik and the Mayor of Vienna Michael Haeupl. He will also be awarded with the Bruno Kreisky Prize for Human Rights at the Vienna City Hall.
Media invited to naming ceremony of Kofi Annan Building at Vienna International Centre
Media and NGO/CSO representatives are invited to the naming ceremony of the Kofi Annan Building. There will be an opportunity for a brief press encounter with Mr. Annan following the naming ceremony.
Time:
Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 12:00 hours
at the
Vienna International Centre (VIC)
Rotunda
Please present this media advisory along with a valid identification document
upon entry to the Vienna International Centre (VIC )
* *** *
For further information contact:
Sonja Wintersberger, Information Officer, UNIS Vienna
Telephone: (+43-1) 260 60 3430
E-mail: sonja.wintersberger@unvienna.org
Jaya Mohan, Information Officer, UNIS Vienna
Telephone: (+43-1) 260 60 4448
E-mail: jaya.mohan@unvienna.org
On all meetings with Austrian officials:
Astrid Salmhofer
Office of the Federal President of the Republic of Austria
Telephone: (+43-1) 534 22 Ext 251 or 236
E-mail: astrid.salmhofer@hofburg.at
On the award of the Bruno Kreisky Prize for Human Rights: office@demokratiezentrum.at
