Handbook for Journalists

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Contacts for Vienna-based Organizations and Offices

Vienna is one of the four United Nations Headquarters, along with New York, Geneva and Nairobi. UNOV provides administrative support – including conference planning, security and safety services, and language interpretation – to United Nations programmes. The Director- General of UNOV represents the Secretary- General in dealings with the host country and diplomatic missions in Vienna.

Vienna International Centre P.O. Box 500
Wagramer Strasse 5
1400 Vienna, Austria

The IAEA, comprising 173 Member States, is the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field. It works to support the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, contribut- ing to international peace and security and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Director General is Rafael Mariano Grossi.

For further information, contact:

Fredrik Dahl, Spokesperson

General press enquiries:
Tel: (+43-1) 2600-21273
 

UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. It supports Member States in achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial development, with the vision to create decent jobs and shared prosperity, and eradicate absolute poverty. The Director General is Gerd Müller.

For further information, contact:

Charles Arthur, Communications Officer

Tel: +43 1 26060 3638 
Email: c.arthur@unido.org
 

From its headquarters in Vienna and through an extensive network of field offices around the world, UNODC helps Member States to reduce their vulnerability to drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism, and to promote security and justice for all. The Executive Director of UNODC is Ghada Waly, who also serves as Director-General of UNOV.

For more information, contact:

Brian Hansford, Chief, Advocacy Section

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-83225
Mobile: (+43-699) 1458-3225
Email: brian.hansford@un.org

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans nuclear explosions by everyone, everywhere: on the Earth’s surface, in the atmosphere, under water and under ground. CTBTO promotes the Treaty’s entry into force and is establishing a global verification regime with 337 monitoring facilities to ensure that no nuclear explosion goes undetected. The monitoring data are also used for civil and scientific purposes such as tsunami warnings and radiation monitoring in the event of a nuclear accident. The Executive Secretary is Robert Floyd.

For further information, contact:

La Neice Collins, Senior Public Information Officer

Tel: (+43-1) 26030-6540
Mobile:(+43-699) 1459-6540
Email: laneice.collins@ctbto.org

UNOOSA promotes international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. It helps Member States, particularly developing countries, use space science and applications for sustainable development, including through educational and orbital opportunities. The Office also serves as the secretariat for the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), which discusses advancements in space law, policy and exploration.

For more information, contact:

Daniel Nikbakht

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-8717
Email: oosa@unoosa.org or daniel.nikbakht@un.org

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine (IICIU) was established by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate violations and abuses of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law, and other crimes that may have been committed in the context of the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. It is led by three independent experts Erik Møse of Norway (Chair) and two other Commissioners Vrinda Grover of India and Pablo de Greiff of Colombia.

For more information, contact:

Saule Mukhametrakhimova, Public Information Officer

Tel: (+43-1) 260 60 83450
Mobile: (+43 676) 349 3464
Email: saule.mukhametrakhimova@un.org  

The International Commission works to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of waters in the Danube River Basin, the most international river basin in the world. The work of the ICPDR is based on the Danube River Protection Convention (DRPC) and serves its 15 contracting parties, including the European Union.

For further information, contact:

Helene Masliah-Gilkarov

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-4373
Email: helene.masliah-gilkarov@icpdr.org

INCB is the independent and quasi-judicial body monitoring and promoting the implementation of the three international drug control conventions. INCB works with governments to ensure the availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes and monitors national controls over precursor chemicals used in the illicit manufacturing of drugs, while preventing diversion to illicit channels and abuse.

For more information, contact:

Raechelle Newman-Smajli

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-4163
Email: incb.secretariat@un.org

IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. IOM in Austria consists of two offices: the IOM Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe including Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and the IOM Country Office for Austria.

For further information, contact:

IOM Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Joe Lowry

Tel: (+43-1) 581-2224
Email: jlowry@iom.int

 

IOM Country Office for Austria

Alexander Spiegelfeld

Tel: (+43-1) 585-3322 10
Email: aspiegelfeld@iom.int
 

SEforALL is an international organization working with governments, the private sector and civil soci- ety driving action to achieve universal access to sustainable energy by 2030 and reduce green- house gas emissions to limit climate warming to below two degrees Celsius in line with the Paris Agreement. SEforALL releases research on the latest energy access trends and data. The Chief Executive Officer, Damilola Ogunbiyi, is also the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Co-Chair of UN Energy.

For further information, contact:

Sherry Kennedy, Director of Communications

Mobile: (+43-676) 846727237
Email: Sherry.Kennedy@SEforALL.org
Media@SEforALL.org

UNCITRAL works to remove legal obstacles to international trade by progressively modernizing and harmonizing trade law. UNCITRAL develops conventions, model laws and rules as well as legal and legislative guides in areas such as arbitration and mediation; micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises; electronic commerce; insolvency law; and the judicial sale of ships. 

For more information, contact:

Anne Thomas at UNIS

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-5588
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5588
 

The Carpathian Convention promotes international cooperation for the protection and sustainable development of the Carpathians, Europe’s largest transboundary mountain region. The Vienna office is the UNEP global hub for work on mountains and its subregional hub for environmental cooperation in South-East Europe. The office also liaises with the host country Austria, and national as well as international organizations based in the region.

For further information, contact:

Harald Egerer

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-4545
 

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) safeguards the rights and well-being of refugees. The office in Vienna monitors the implementation of Austrian asylum laws according to the Geneva Refugee Convention.

For further information, contact:

Ruth Schöffl

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-5307
 

The UNODA Vienna Office works in close partnership with Vienna-based offices and organizations, specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions in all areas of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control. It coordinates the Disarmament Education Dashboard: the UNODA e-learning platform offering online training courses on disarmament, non-proliferation and cross-cutting issues.

For further information, contact:

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-83173
Email: unoda-viennaoffice@un.org

UNPA issues United Nations stamps, which reflect the work of the organization and are valid for postage on mail sent from the United Nations in Vienna.

For further information, contact:

Clarissa Fürnsinn

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-5446
Email: clarissa.fuernsinn@un.org

The mandate of UNRoD is to record, in documentary form, the damage caused to all natural and legal persons as a result of the construction of the Wall by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem. By 31 October 2021, 73,034 claims and more than one million supporting documents had been collected. As of 1 July 2020, the Board had reviewed 37,257 claims for inclusion in the Register. UNRoD is very close to completing its outreach and claim intake work in the occupied Palestinian territory.

UNSCEAR evaluates the levels and effects of exposure to ionizing radiation and reports the findings to the General Assembly, the scientific community and the general public. These reports provide the scientific basis for radiation protection measures used by governments and international bodies. The UNSCEAR Secretariat is headed by Borislava Batandjieva-Metcalf.

For further information, contact:

Ferid Shannoun, Scientific Officer

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-4331
Email: Ferid.Shannoun@un.org
 

UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION SERVICE (UNIS)

UNIS Vienna promotes the work of the United Nations family based in Vienna through the media, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and public outreach work. UNIS serves as an information centre for Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia, promoting the work of the United Nations as a whole by means of information programmes and actvities. UNIS also offers guided tours and lectures through the Visitors Service.

UNIS Vienna Director’s Office

Martin Nesirky

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-5676
Mobile: (+43- 699) 1459-5676
Email: martin.nesirky@un.org 

Sonja Wintersberger

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-3430
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-3430
Email: sonja.wintersberger@un.org

 

News and Media Liaison Unit

Anne Thomas

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-5588
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-5588
Email: anne.thomas@un.org

Christine Dierk

Tel: (+43-1) 26060-4949
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-4949
Email: dierk@un.org

Media Accreditation

UNIS offers annual media accreditation to the Vienna International Centre (VIC) which gives bona fide media representatives access to all organizations’ conferences and events at the VIC. Applicants need a valid press card and a letter of assignment from their media organization on official letterhead.

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Other International Organizations in Austria

For general media queries:

Mobile: (+43-676) 71-74-592 (for urgent and out-of-office hours requests)
Email: press@osce.org

 

For further information, contact:

Alexandra Taylor

Chief,

Head of Communication and Media Relations Section

Email: Alexandra.Taylor@osce.org

Practical Information

SERVICES IN THE VIENNA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

Banking services

The two branches of Bank Austria, with ATM machines are on the first floor of the C-Building (C01) and on the ground floor of the D-Building. Both are open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Catering services

VIC Cafeteria, F-building ground floor, 7.30 – 10 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. (Coffee Corner 8 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.).

VIC Restaurant, F-building ground floor,
11.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. Table reservations can be made on the internal extension 4877 (01-26026-4877) (9.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.).

Quattro Uno Delegate Lounge, C-Building 4th floor, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Coffee Bar, C-Building 7th floor 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.

Coffee Bar, C-Building 2nd floor 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Coffee Bar, M-Building ground floor 9 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.

Bar/Cocktail Lounge, F-Building ground floor Mon – Thurs 11.30 a.m. – 8 p.m. (7 p.m. in summer) Fri 11.30 a.m. – 9 p.m. (8 p.m. in summer).

Dry-cleaning service

G-Building ground floor, (G0E75), 11.30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

International newspapers, magazines, books

Available from the newspaper stand on the ground floor of the Rotunda, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Pharmacy

F-Building 7th floor (F0707), 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Internal extension: 21599

Post Office

C-Building 1st floor (C0101), 9 a.m. – 11.15 a.m. and 12 noon – 5 p.m.

Vienna Service Office

Information about living in Austria. Rotunda, ground floor.
Monday – Thursday 8.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m. Internal extension: 4234

All shops and services are open from Monday to Friday unless otherwise stated.

OTHER USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Directory enquiries

IAEA: 91/92

CTBTO: 94

UNIDO: 3111

UNOV: 1234

UNODC: 93

Emergency

Internal ext. 99 or
External tel. no. 01 260-60-99

Lost and found

3903 F-Building ground floor (FOE 18)

Medical emergencies

Internal ext. 22222 or
External tel. no. 01-26060-22222 (8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m., F07)

How to reach the VIC

The VIC is located in Vienna's Donaustadt area across the Danube, just seven minutes from the city centre by U-Bahn.

The street address is Wagramer Strasse 5, 1220 Vienna, Austria, with the Visitors Entrance located right next to the "Kaisermühlen/Vienna International Centre" U-Bahn stop.

We recommend the use of public transportation.

  • By Underground/Subway: 
  • From Vienna city centre (eg Stephansplatz), take the red U1 "U-Bahn" underground/subway line in the direction Leopoldau. Get off at the stop "Kaisermühlen/Vienna International Centre". Exit at the front of the train and proceed to the VIC main entrance (Gate 1) directly next to the station.
  • Plan your journey to "UNO City"
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  • By bus
    Buses may stop in the side street of Wagramer Straße 5.
  • By car
    Limited private car parking is available for a fee at the Austria Centre.

SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPOKESPERSON

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Based at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General is Stéphane Dujarric. On the Spokesperson’s website are details of the Secretary-General’s daily schedule and official travels, statements and remarks at press encounters as well as the highlights and transcripts of the daily briefing.

Press enquiries:

Tel: (+1-212) 963-7162

 

The daily briefing at 12:00 New York time can be viewed at: https://media.un.org/en/webtv

 

UNITED NATIONS NEWS CENTRE

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All the latest news from the United Nations in nine languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Hindi, Kiswahili, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian) can be found on the United Nations News Centre website and also on the United Nations News app.

Journalists can also subscribe to the United Nations news email service: https://news.un.org/en/content/un-newsletter-subscribe

THE UNITED NATIONS WEBSITE

To find other United Nations organizations use the web locator for the United Nations system: 

www.un.org/en/about-us/un-system