UNIS/INF/264
23 April 2008

Media advisory

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Austrian Foreign Minister Plassnik to
Inaugurate M Building at the Vienna International Centre

Media invited to attend ceremony and joint media encounter

VIENNA, 23 April (UN Information Service) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik will jointly inaugurate the new M Building at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) on Friday, 25 April 2008. During his visit to Austria, Secretary-General Ban will also meet with Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer and Federal Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, and with the heads of the VIC-based organizations. 

Secretary-General Ban will also participate in a Panel Discussion with Minister Plassnik and H.E. Mr. Rupel, Foreign Minister of Slovenia on "UN and EU: Joining Forces for the Challenges of the 21st Century".

Media are invited to attend the following events:

1. Photo op: Inauguration ceremony of Building M
Venue: Media segment, Building M, VIC, entrance through Gate 1, Vienna International Centre
Time: 25 April 2008, at 11:30 hours
Please take your place latest by 11:00 hours

2. Joint media encounter with UN SG Ban Ki-moon and Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik
Venue: Press Centre below Hall M, VIC, entrance through Gate 1, Vienna International Centre
Time: 25 April 2008, at 12:30 hours
Please take your place latest by 12:00 hours

Pre-registration is a requirement for both events. Media representatives who wish to attend should contact:
Veronika Crowe-Mayerhofer, UN Information Service
Email: veronika.crowe-mayerhofer@unvienna.org
Tel: (+43-1) 26060-3342
Mobile: (+43-699) 1459-3342

Please note that access to both these events will be via Gate 1 of the Vienna International Centre. Pre-registration will close at 12:00 hours, Thursday, 24 April 2008. Journalists who already have prior accreditation to the United Nations are also required to register.

3. Panel discussion "The United Nations and the European Union: Joining Forces for the Challenges of the 21st Century" with UN SG Ban Ki-moon, Foreign Minister Plassnik, and Mr. Rupel, Foreign Minister of Slovenia and current EU Council President.
Venue: Börsensäle, Wipplingerstraße 34, 1010 Wien
Time: 25 April 2008,  at 18:00 hours
Please take your place latest by 17:30 hours

Pre-registration and accreditation for this event is through the press service of the Foreign Ministry. Media representatives who wish to attend should contact:
Email: pk-anmeldungen@bmeia.gv.at
Fax:  (+43) (0) 50 1159 204

Deadline for registration is Thursday, 24 April 2008; 17:00 hours.

For any queries concerning this event, please contact:
Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten
Presseabteilung
Tel.: (+43) (0) 50 1150-3262, 4549, 4550

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For further information, contact:
Elisabeth Waechter
Information Officer, UNIS Vienna
Tel.: (+43-699)1459-3348
Email: elisabeth.waechter@unvienna.org