Information: This is an old - not maintained - article of the AEIOU. In the Austria-Forum you find an updated version of this article in the new AEIOU.
Opening of the Austria Center, Vienna
Next to Brussels, Geneva, and London, Vienna is one of the most favorite convention cities in the world today. Vienna has always attracted large international organizations. By invitation of the Federal Government, UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) established itself in Vienna in 1967. The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) has been resident in Vienna since 1957. With UNIDO's invitation in 1967 both U.N. organizations were offered appropriate headquarters from the Austrian side. It was natural to consider a joint complex for this purpose. After an agreement was reached in 1968 among the Republic of Austria, the city of Vienna, and representatives of the international organizations concerning the building's location, international competition for its construction took place. Architects from 36 countries registered a total of 283 blueprints, from which the conception of Austrian architect Johann Staber emerged the winner. Yet before its implementation, it was decided to divide the project into two phases. First the buildings for the organizations were constructed. This first phase of construction, the VIC (Vienna International Center), was handed over to the international organizations in 1979. The second phase of construction, the Austria Center - mostly used for conferences, opened in May of 1987.
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