Dear members, partners, and friends of Vienna Economic Forum!
Esteemed Patrons – Prime Ministers of the VEF Member Countries!
Honorable Ambassadors – Members of the VEF Ambassadors Committee!
Distinguished Members of the Honorary Committee!

We are all experiencing an unsettled and turbulent time in the world, in Europe, and in the VEF- Region “From the Adriatic to the Black Sea.” A time that is reflected in an even more categorical way in almost all economic branches. A time that is marked by further escalation, in which- obviously, “the right of the might prevails over the might of the law”.

Under these circumstances, the question arises: Is and will cooperation remain the cornerstone of VEF’s activities, as it has been over the 21 years of VEF’s successful development, the solid and consistently proven foundation for the further development of the regional economy as part of the European and global economy? Is this type of cooperation, which believes in positive economic development through mutual respect for existing interests, still relevant? Or is “old-fashioned” protectionism making a comeback under the fanfare of new players on the world stage?

We continue to believe in the power of economic cooperation!

Over the years, Vienna Economic Forum has consistently and successfully proven itself as an internationally active organization, focusing on cooperation between all VEF- Member countries in the interest of maintaining a good balance between public and private interests!

Thanks to this active collaboration, the registered Brand Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) is highly recognized and widely known!

VEF has achieved various Status’s: that of an International Non-Governmental Organization (Int.NGO) under Austrian law; the Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN). VEF has also been entered into the Transparency Register of the European Union (EU) and the European Commission (EC). A visible sign of the great recognition from the Republic of Austria and the City of Vienna is the right to fly its own VEF-Flag on the building housing the VEF office at Prinz-Eugen-Straße 58, in Vienna’s embassy district.
These achievements are the result of a targeted development that Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) has pursued and will continue to pursue consistently, with foresight, and through cooperation over the years. This development also forms the basis for the next important steps with which VEF strives to further develop itself towards becoming an International Organization (Int.Org.) headquartered in Vienna.

In this spirit, and in order to continue adapting to the demands of the times, in 2024 Vienna Economic Forum succeeded in establishing new partnerships with partners from various VEF-, European-, and non-European countries and destinations.
A new partnership with the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA) was officially announced. VEF has deepened its cooperation with the Baltic countries, as well as with the countries of Central Europe.
Geopolitical turbulence also influences directions, including reorientations of economic interests. At the initiative of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, an Event Partnership Agreement was concluded and the importance of the partnership between AIM Congress and Vienna Economic Forum was highlighted.

In 2024, VEF launched the initiative to establish a “League of Universities” from the VEF -Region. This initiative has been highly valued, and the first MoUs have been signed with Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski,” with the University of National and World Economy Sofia, and with the University of Prishtina. The initiative is rapidly developing in the VEF- Member countries and is linked to the motto “Innovations – Organization and Emergence of Start-ups in the VEF Region.”

Dear Members and Partners!

We have another very successful year 2024 behind us! As always throughout the years, information about all VEF activities in 2024 is published in details on the VEF- website, in German and English. As well as the loved VEF- Garden Party 2024 “Culinary and musical journey through the Member countries of Vienna Economic Forum”, so too is the exclusive and successful VEF- November Edition of the 21st Vienna Economic Forum – Vienna Future Dialogue 2024.

We firmly believe that the positive experience of activating closer cooperation with VEF- Member countries on the one hand, and the geographical expansion of VEF activities on the other, will open up new horizons – for VEF as an International organization, for VEF- Member countries as business locations, and for VEF members – new opportunities for their own economic expansion.

A big Thank you to all of you: VEF members, partners, and supporters!