For information only - not an official document

UNIS/VIC/201
10 September 2014

The United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and the City of Vienna celebrate 35 Years of 'UNO City'

Vienna, 10 September (UN Information Service) -The Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov, and the Mayor and Governor of Vienna, Michael Häupl, marked the 35 th anniversary of the UN Headquarters in the Austrian capital by planting an original Viennese grapevine at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) today.

In his speech at the event, Mr Fedotov said: "In our work here we often speak about the 'Vienna Spirit' - namely, the willingness and dedication of all concerned to pull together to find joint solutions, even on the most difficult topics." He said this Vienna Spirit "speaks to the founding purpose and principles of the United Nations".

At an event attended by other heads and representatives of other Vienna-based organisations as well as diplomats and Austrian officials, Mr. Fedotov and Mr. Häupl also officially opened an exhibition about the VIC and the organizations based there.

The exhibition material compiled by the Vienna International Centre (VIC) and the City of Vienna, in cooperation with the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) will be on display until 18 September and can be visited as part of the guided tours offered by the Visitors Service.

Photos of the ceremony are available at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/unisvienna/sets/72157647451160005/

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The VIC was opened on 23 August 1979 when it was handed over to the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Commonly known locally as 'UNO City', the VIC has been leased to the organizations for 99 years at a symbolic annual rate of one Austrian schilling (seven euro cents). The complex comprises about 4,500 offices and 16 conference rooms. About 4,400 people work at the VIC from some 120 countries. About a third of the staff are Austrian.

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For further information contact:

Irene Hoeglinger-Neiva
Public Information Officer
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-4448
Mobile: (+43) 699-1459-4448
Email: irene.hoeglinger-neiva[at]unvienna.org