Austrian Commission for UNESCO
The Austrian Foreign Ministry is the competent authority for matters of international cultural relations and for representing the Republic of Austria vis-à-vis UNESCO. These responsibilities are part of the brief of the Department of Multilateral Issues of International Cultural Policy of the Directorate-General for Cultural Policy.
Similar to most member states, Austria has an accredited “permanent delegation” to UNESCO in Paris. This delegation handles ongoing contacts with the UNESCO Secretariat and is responsible for relations with UNESCO. It represents Austria at the various bodies established within the Organisation and forwards Austrian concerns within UNESCO.
Permanent Delegation to UNESCO:
1, rue Miollis, F-75732 Paris
Tel.: + 33 / 1 / 4568 3457
Fax: + 33 / 1 / 478 32625
dl.austria@unesco-delegations.org
Apart from the Foreign Ministry, a number of other ministries have competencies for UNESCO affairs, among them the Federal Ministry for Education, the Arts and Culture, the Federal Ministry of Science and Research, the Federal Chancellery, the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management and the Federal Ministry of Health.
In its capacity of national agency for UNESCO affairs, the Austrian Commission for UNESCO acts at the Austrian level as a platform and liaison office.
The membership contribution, amounting to some US$ 1.1 million or € 1.2 million (2009), is paid to UNESCO by the budget department of the Austrian Foreign Ministry.
Within the scope of UNESCO, member states cooperate through the General Conference, the Executive Board and in subsidiary bodies, committees and various panels. At present, 25 such bodies of varying status are active. Acceptance to such bodies is by election at the General Conference, usually for a term of four years.
Austria is currently a member of the following committees/panels: