Promoting regional economic cooperation has been the goal of Vienna Economic Forum since its foundation in 2004, and we are proud that the economic cooperation between entrepreneurs from the member countries of Vienna Economic Forum - Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine - has developed successfully over all these years.

Among the founding members of the Vienna Economic Forum are some of the most renowned Austrian companies and industrialists. The Prime Ministers of the states of the region are, together with the Austrian Federal Chancellor, Members of the Patronage Committee of Vienna Economic Forum. All accredited ambassadors in Austria of the VEF- Members countries take part in the VEF- activities as Members of the Ambassadors Committee. To the organs of Vienna Economic Forum also belong the Honorary Committee and the Cultural Committee of the countries of the region of Vienna Economic Forum.

Vienna Economic Forum, which has been granted the Status of an International Non-governmental Organization and the Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), is constantly growing and developing.

Since 2015, Vienna Economic Forum has also been listed in the Transparency Register of the European Parliament and the European Commission.

In all these years, Vienna Economic has remained true to its founding goals:

• To popularize and promote investment opportunities in the region from the Adriatic to the Black Sea.
• To provide impulses and, based on research, the joint projects required in the region for short-term, medium-term and long-term realisation, and promoting their implementation
• Becoming a place of definition, encounter, and of realising the public and private interests in connection with the various projects in the region as part of a united Europe.

These goals incorporate the vision that led to the creation of the VEF in 2004: to follow a strategy that contributes to economic cooperation and development of the VEF member countries as a region that is growing together, a “VEF economic area”!

The implementation of this strategy is always in focus and determines the planning and execution of all the work of the Vienna Economic Forum team over the years!

Reaffirmed granting of the Status of an International Non-Governmental organization (INGO) to Vienna Economic Forum by the legal authorities

Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) is highly pleased and honoured to announce that it has been re-listed in the new decree on granting the Legal Status of an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO), coming into force on 1 January 2022.

The regulation currently enacted by the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs in agreement with the Federal Minister for Labour and the Federal Minister for Interior continuously confirms the INGO status of VEF, which Vienna Economic Forum was originally granted with the official decision of the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs on 7. January 2011.

The long-standing state recognition of Vienna Economic Forum as INGO stands as witness to the numerous VEF successes in supporting cross-border interaction between economy and politics, which are based on strict adherence to the principle of neutrality and the gradually created international basis of trust.

For Vienna Economic Forum it is an honour to be able to further strengthen Austria as a business destination through its activities, and to continuously contribute to the economic cooperation and development of all VEF member countries as an economic region that is constantly growing closer together.

18. Vienna Economic Forum – Vienna Future Dialogue 2021

Digital Composition 

The Board of Vienna Economic Forum invited the Ambassadors and diplomats of the Member countries to attend the “20^th Jubilee Traditional Garden Party “in a small setting” in a form of a seated meal on the banks of the Danube

On behalf of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, the President of Vienna Economic Forum, DI Peter Umundum and the Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, invited to the 20^th Jubilee Traditional Garden Party under the Motto “Culinary and musical journey through the partner countries of Vienna Economic Forum” on 18. June 2021 in the guest garden of the “Donau Restaurant & Grill” in Kritzendorf.

In a small setting due to the current circumstances, the Ambassadors and Diplomats from the VEF Member countries, Members of the Board, Honorary members and longstanding partners enjoyed a sunny afternoon in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, good regional cuisine and a great view of the sunny banks of the Danuber river.

Vienna Economic Forum thanks its Members, Partners and Friends for their constant and active support!

Special Thanks goes to the Österreichische Post AG