Vienna, along with New York, Geneva and Nairobi, is one of the four headquarters of the United Nations. Opened on 23 August 1979, the Vienna International Centre is the seat of a number of United Nations organizations and entities.
Multilingual guides from different countries inform about the United Nations and the work of the Vienna-based organizations in the field of drugs and crime, the peaceful uses of outer space, and refugees. Specialized agencies deal with industrial development, the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the banning of nuclear weapon testing.
You will visit exhibitions and a conference room and get to know the fascinating world of the United Nations. Tours are available in German, English and ten other languages. Special tours for children or on art and architecture are available upon request.
Special Events
The UN Information Service regularly organizes special events and observances around International Days and commemorations, such as Human Rights Day, the International Day of Peace, International Youth Day or World Environment Day. Information about such events is posted on the
website and announced on UNIS’s
Facebook page. Become a “Friend” and receive all the updates automatically!
International Day Against Nuclear Tests: 29 August 2010
The 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared 29 August as the International Day against Nuclear Tests through the unanimous adoption of its resolution 64/35 on 2 December 2009. The Day is meant to galvanize the efforts of the United Nations, Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, youth networks and the media in informing, educating and advocating the necessity of banning nuclear tests as a valuable step to achieving a safer world. The Preamble of the resolution emphasizes "that every effort should be made to end nuclear tests in order to avert devastating and harmful effects on the lives and health of people …and, that the end of nuclear tests is one of the key means of achieving the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world."
The value of this goal was stated with great clarity by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, "A world free of nuclear weapons would be a global public good of the highest order." In May of 2010, all the States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, committed themselves to work to "achieve the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons" and they characterized achieving a ban on nuclear testing as "vital."
Presently, some countries have unilaterally promised not to test but such a regime is unstable. Bringing into force the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which would forever ban any further nuclear weapon test explosion and any other nuclear explosion, would both advance nuclear disarmament efforts and strengthen the constraints on proliferation. The Treaty opened for signature and ratification in 1996. It is time for the few remaining countries that have not signed and ratified it to do so promptly.
You can read the full article by clicking on the following link:
http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/events/2010/nonnuclear-tests-day.html
Women count for peace
Women hardly ever fight the world's wars, but often suffer the most, and are targets of systematic sexual violence. Yet, fewer than 10 percent of the people who negotiate peace deals are women. Right now, women peace activists from more than 20 countries are meeting senior UN officials to voice their demands and concerns for peacebuilding as part of "Open Days for Women and Peace".
Ten years ago, the United Nations Security Council called for women's equal participation in peacebuilding in the groundbreaking resolution 1325. But its implementation in countries has been too slow. The petition urges Governments to take steps to implement the resolution - such as recruiting more women in police forces and peacekeeping operations, ensuring more women participate in peace negotiations, prosecuting perpetrators of sexual violence and excluding them from armies and police forces after conflict.
By signing on to the 1325 Petition we can make a powerful statement to the UN Security Council when it convenes to discuss how to fulfill the commitments in resolution 1325 in October 2010.
You can play a role in making women count for peace. Sign the 1325 Petition today! More information at
http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/events/2010/1325-petition.html
Special Briefings and Lectures
Lectures by UN staff members on the UN in general and the Vienna-based Organizations can be arranged for groups of 20 or more participants. Please note that lectures can only be requested in combination with a guided tour, and such arrangements must be made in advance by writing (minimum six weeks prior to the requested date) to:
P.O. Box 500, A-1400 Vienna
Tel. (+43-1) 26060-4106
Fax: (+43-1) 26060-5899
e-mail: lectures@unvienna.org
If you would like to have detailed information about admission fees, opening times and reservation, please do not hesitate to contact:
Reservation and Information
Tel: (+43-1) 26060-3328
Fax: (+43-1) 26060-5991
E-mail: Tours@unvienna.org
Guided Tours
A valid identification document (passport or driving license) is required!
For individuals and small groups
(10 people or less) :
Monday - Friday: 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.
Summer Special: during June, July and August also at 12:30
(no reservation needed)
For groups :
With prior registration
Please note that the Vienna International Centre is closed on the following UN and public holidays: 1 January, 2, 5 and 30 April, 24 May, 10 September, 26 October, 16 November, 24 and 27 December 2010
How to reach us with U-Bahn:
http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/visitors_service.html
Take the underground line U1 in the direction Kagran, alight at "Kaisermühlen/Vienna International Centre" and proceed to the main entrance/Gate 1. Buses are allowed to park in the side street of Wagramer Straße. Parking for private vehicles is available, in limited numbers, at a public garage next to Gate 2. The VIC is accessible to persons with disabilities.
