For information only - not an official document

UNIS/DC/001
10 November 2011

United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs Establishes Vienna Office

VIENNA, 10 November (UN Information Service) - The newly established Vienna-base of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) has started to operate with the arrival of its Chief, Franz Kolar on 2 November 2011.

The Office is located at the Vienna International Centre with administrative and logistical support provided by the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). It has been established on the basis of voluntary contributions from Member States, in particular with the financial support provided by the Government of Austria.

The establishment of the Office in Vienna, as part of UNODA, responds to the growing need to cooperate and facilitate closer cooperation and effective interaction in all areas of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control with UNOV and with Vienna-based organizations and related specialized agencies, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as well as with other relevant regional intergovernmental organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

The Vienna Office will also follow-up on relevant developments and provide advice to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs; provide support to and organize meetings and conferences in the field of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation and respond to public information queries related to UNODA and its activities.

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For further information please contact:

Franz Kolar
Chief, Vienna Office
United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-4097
Email: Franz.Kolar[at]unvienna.org