Austria's Un Membership: A Comprehensive Overview

Austria has been a member of the United Nations since 14 December 1955, when it became the 70th member of the UN, six months after regaining full independence. Austria has established itself as an engaged UN Member State, contributing to peacekeeping operations, advocating for human rights, and promoting sustainable development. Vienna, the capital of Austria, is one of the four headquarters of the United Nations, along with New York, Geneva, and Nairobi. The Vienna International Center, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019, hosts several important UN offices and agencies, including the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Austria's involvement in the UN reflects its commitment to multilateralism and its belief in the importance of global cooperation to address international challenges.

Austria joined the UN in 1955

Austria became a member of the United Nations on 14 December 1955, six months after it regained its full independence with the signing of the Austrian State Treaty. Austria was the UN's 70th member state and has since established itself as an engaged member, contributing to the organisation's work and gaining an outstanding reputation.

Austria has been a regular member of important UN commissions and bodies, such as the Commission on Human Rights, and has held numerous leadership positions. Austrians have also served in various other key posts within the UN, including Austrian Kurt Waldheim, who acted as UN Secretary-General from 1972 to 1981.

Austria has been an active participant in UN peacekeeping efforts and has contributed to over 50 UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. To date, approximately 50,000 Austrians have served as soldiers, military observers, policemen or civilian experts.

Austria's priorities within the UN include peace and security, conflict prevention, human rights, disarmament, arms control, non-proliferation, combating crime and drugs, sustainable development, and the strengthening, development and codification of international law.

Vienna, along with New York, Geneva and Nairobi, serves as one of the four headquarters of the United Nations. The "Vienna International Center", which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019, hosts the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and other units belonging to the UN system, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Vienna has become an important centre for addressing global security challenges, such as nuclear safety and the fight against organised crime, as well as for sustainability issues with a focus on energy and development.

Vienna is one of the four UN headquarters

Austria has been a committed member of the United Nations Organisation (UN) since 14 December 1955, when it became the 70th member. Vienna, the capital of Austria, is one of the four major UN headquarters, along with New York, Geneva, and Nairobi. The United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) was established on 1 January 1980 as the third headquarters after New York and Geneva, and before Nairobi.

The UNOV is part of the Vienna International Centre, a hub for several major international organisations, informally called "UNO City". The Vienna International Centre is host to the following organisations:

• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
• Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
• United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Austria Multi-Country Office
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• United Nations Information Service (UNIS)
• United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)

The Vienna headquarters has become an important centre for addressing global security challenges and other pressing issues of our times, such as nuclear safety and the fight against organised crime, as well as a venue for international meetings.

Austria contributes to peacekeeping operations

Austria has been a committed member of the United Nations since 1955, and has actively contributed to the organisation's work, particularly in the area of peacekeeping operations.

Austrian peacekeepers have played a vital role in supporting the United Nations' efforts to maintain peace and security worldwide. Since 1960, over 90,000-100,000 Austrian soldiers and civilian helpers have served in more than 50 international peace support and humanitarian missions. This includes approximately 50,000 Austrians who have served in over 50 UN peacekeeping missions worldwide as soldiers, military observers, policemen, or civilian experts. The country's dedication to peacekeeping is reflected in its substantial contributions of troops and financial support. In 2019, Austria contributed over 20 million Euros to the UN's annual budget.

Austria's commitment to peacekeeping operations is driven by its focus on protecting civilians, especially women and children, in conflict areas. This commitment is enshrined in the Federal Constitutional Act on Cooperation and Solidarity in Deploying Units and Individuals Abroad, adopted in 1997, which provides the constitutional basis for Austrian participation in UN operations. Austria has also held leadership roles within the UN, with Austrian nationals appointed as commanders of peacekeeping operations by the UN Secretary-General on several occasions.

Austria's engagement in peacekeeping operations aligns with its broader foreign policy priorities, including conflict prevention, human rights, disarmament, and the fight against impunity. Through its active participation, Austria has gained a high profile within the UN, with recognition extending beyond its contributions to peacekeeping. Austria has been elected to the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council, and Austrian nationals have held key posts within the organisation, including the position of UN Secretary-General from 1972 to 1981.

Overall, Austria's contributions to peacekeeping operations are a testament to its dedication to international peace and security. Through its active participation, financial support, and commitment to protecting civilians, Austria plays a vital role in supporting the United Nations' peacekeeping efforts worldwide.

Austria's UN priorities include human rights

Austria joined the United Nations Organisation (UN) on 14 December 1955 as its 70th member. Since then, it has established itself as an engaged UN Member State and has actively contributed to the organisation's work. Austria advocates for a strong and efficient UN and has gained a reputation for its commitment to UN objectives and principles.

Austria actively addresses human rights issues in meetings with other governments and intervenes on behalf of individuals at risk in cooperation with the EU. It also supports local human rights defenders globally through its embassies and promotes human rights and the rule of law through various projects in many countries. Austria's focus areas include women's rights, the rights of the child, the safety of journalists, freedom of religion and belief, and the protection of religious minorities, among others.

In addition to its efforts within the UN, Austria also works closely with its European Union partners and is active in other organisations such as the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Austria's dedication to human rights is further demonstrated by its strong support for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Treaty Bodies, and the UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights issues.

Austria's commitment to human rights is also evident in its foreign policy priorities, such as the protection of civilians and upholding international humanitarian law. During its Presidency of the UN Security Council in 2009, Austria sponsored resolution 1894 on the protection of civilians, contributing to the development of interdisciplinary training programmes on this issue for senior staff in peacekeeping operations.

Austria is a member of the UN Human Rights Council

Austria has been a member of the United Nations Organisation (UN) since 14 December 1955, when it became the 70th member. Since then, Austria has been an engaged member state, contributing actively to the UN's work. Austria's priorities within the UN include peacekeeping and conflict prevention, human rights, disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation, combating crime and drugs, sustainable development, and the strengthening, development, and codification of international law.

Austria has a strong bond with the UN, as reflected by its provision of a large number of troops for peacekeeping operations. Approximately 50,000 Austrians have served in over 50 UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. Austria also contributed over 20 million euros to the UN's annual budget in 2019.

Austria has been a member of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) twice. Its first membership lasted from 2011 to 2014, and its second membership is ongoing, from 2019 to 2021. As a member of the HRC, Austria focuses on several priority human rights issues, including:

• Rights of persons with disabilities
• Strengthening the rule of law
• Human rights education
• Combatting human trafficking
• Combatting racism and discrimination
• Global abolition of the death penalty

Additionally, Austria devotes special attention and resources to the protection of minorities, the safety of journalists and freedom of speech, the human rights of internally displaced persons, and human rights in the administration of justice.

Austria's commitment to the UN and its principles is evident through its active participation and engagement in various UN bodies and its dedication to promoting human rights and international cooperation.

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