[2026-10-22] Austrian Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger Meets Ban Ki-moon to Strengthen the United Nations

On October 22, 2026, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger met with former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and former Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer during the “SDG Dialogue Forum 2026” in Vienna. Under the theme “The SDGs as a Guide for a Resilient and Future-Oriented Society,” the forum discussed Austria’s progress in implementing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.

In light of Austria’s upcoming membership as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027–2028 term, Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger took the opportunity to discuss necessary reforms of the UN system with Ban Ki-moon.

Especially at a time when multilateralism is under enormous pressure, Ban Ki-moon’s extensive experience is particularly valuable to us. Few people understand the challenges facing the international community today as well as he does. Reforms will be necessary to strengthen the UN’s ability to act and its credibility.

Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger stated.

The discussion also addressed Vienna’s role as one of the four headquarters locations of the United Nations.

As a UN headquarters location, we have a particular interest in ensuring that the UN system remains credible and effective. We are committed to further strengthening Vienna’s position as a UN hub.

The Foreign Minister explained.

The participants also exchanged views on the upcoming selection of the next UN Secretary-General following António Guterres’s term. Austria supports a transparent selection process that strengthens trust in the United Nations.

Finally, the Foreign Minister acknowledged the work of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation in Vienna. The Foundation is dedicated to implementing the 2030 Agenda, empowering women and young people, and promoting the peaceful resolution of conflicts.