New realities in Europe and the world at the beginning of the 21st century have clearly demonstrated the need for closer regional economic cooperation among the countries of Southeast Europe. From this realization the vision of founding an economic forum based in Vienna was born.
Vienna, due to its location at the heart of Central Europe and its long-standing close relations with these countries, has always been and remains the ideal place to fulfill this mission.
This vision and the initiative of Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, who was serving as Bulgaria’s Ambassador at the time, was enthusiastically supported with action and advice by many of Austria’s most well-known companies and industrialists, leading to the founding of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) in April 2004 under the Austrian Association Act.
The founding of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) was warmly welcomed, both generally and within informed circles. The willingness to participate in more intensive regional economic cooperation “From the Adriatic to the Black Sea” was expressed and confirmed by all the prime ministers in office at the time from the founding countries of Vienna Economic Forum, including the Federal Chancellor of Austria.
Dr. Erhard Busek, who was serving as the EU Special Representative for the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe and was the father of the “Central Europe Project,” played a significant role in this initiative. Following the founding of VEF, he served as the long-time President of Vienna Economic Forum.
Gradually, the organizational structure of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) has developed in line with its vision. The acting prime ministers of the VEF member countries form the honorary Patronage Committee of Vienna Economic Forum. The ambassadors accredited to Austria from the countries of the VEF region participate as members of the honorary Ambassadors’ Committee, contributing to the work of VEF.
Vienna Economic Forum also includes various committees as part of its organizational structure. Special support is provided by the members of the VEF Honorary Committee—renowned personalities and visionaries from many countries around the world.
In its 20 years of existence, Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) has evolved into a successful European economic platform based in Vienna, driven by the diversity of its activities, as evidenced by its regularly recurring events.
The Major November Vienna Economic Forum in Vienna:
- 21st Vienna Economic Forum – Vienna Future Dialogue 2024 took place on November 4, 2024, under the motto “Regional Economy as Part of the European and Global Economy” at House of Engineers, Eschenbachgasse 9, 1010 Vienna.
- 20th Jubilee Vienna Economic Forum – Vienna Future Dialogue 2023 took place on November 13, 2023, under the motto “Continuing to Build Economic Bridges During Difficult Times” in Vienna City Hall.
The Spring – Vienna Economic Forum, which takes place in a VEF member country:
- Vienna Economic Forum – Sofia Meeting 2024 took place on April 22, 2024, under the motto “Continuing to Build Bridges During Difficult Times” at the renowned Boyana Residence in Sofia.
- Vienna Economic Talks – Prishtina Meeting 2023 took place on May 8, 2023, under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, under the Motto “Regional Cooperation in a Fragmented Environment” in Prishtina.
- Vienna Economic Talks – Istanbul Meeting 2022 took place on May 17, 2022, under the motto “Economy as a Driving Force in Difficult and Uncertain Times” at the historic Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul.
The predecessor of Vienna Economic Forum – the Vienna Economic Forum Traditional Garden Party, “Culinary and Musical Journey through the Member Countries of Vienna Economic Forum” – has established itself as a perfect platform for exchange within the international community in Vienna. The unique atmosphere enjoyed year after year by the guests at the Traditional Garden Party of Vienna Economic Forum is a testament to fostering intercultural understanding and celebrating the shared values that unite the people of the VEF region – from the Adriatic to the Black Sea.
Vienna Economic Forum thus remains true to its founding goals:
- To popularize and promote investment opportunities in the region from the Adriatic to the Black Sea.
- To give impulses and, based on research, to point out the necessary joint projects in the region for short, medium and long-term realization and to promote their implementation.
- Serving as a platform for defining, meeting, and realizing public and private interests related to various regional projects, to become part of a unified Europe.
In response to unstable world events, VEF will and wants to continue to work towards the economic consolidation of the VEF region “From the Adriatic to the Black Sea” and the strengthening of its role as an immanent part of the European and global economy, as well as establishing new global partnerships that correspond to the VEF goals.
As a result of its longstanding successful efforts to promote regional economic cooperation, Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) has received the following recognitions:
- Status as International Non-Governmental Organization (Int. NGO), since January 7, 2011, reconfirmed status as of January 1, 2022.
- Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), from July 27, 2012.
- Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) is registered in the Transparency Register of the European Parliament and European Commission, since 2015.
With the decision of MA 37/1339606-2021-1 dated November 12, 2021, Vienna Economic Forum was granted by the Austrian authorities the right to proudly raise the flag of Vienna Economic Forum in the heart of the Vienna Embassy District, alongside numerous national flags, on the building. This symbolic act serves as a recognition of Vienna Economic Forum and reinforces its international reputation as THE European economic platform based in Vienna!
These recognitions, which Vienna Economic Forum has received for its many years of activities in the VEF region and for its exceptionally successful contribution to fostering intercultural understanding, are extremely motivating for the VEF team to continue pursuing and achieving its set goals.
- Free participation of up to three individuals at all activities of Vienna Economic Forum in Austria and abroad throughout the year
- Priority submission of sponsorship packages to actively present your company according to your own interests at the events in Austria and abroad (e.g. logo, materials, stand, speaker)
- Submission of all information and materials of the events in Austria and abroad
- Access to the network of the “Vienna Economic Forum – Family” – our partners from business, politics and diplomacy in Austria and abroad – which Vienna Economic Forum has built in all the years of active engagement in the region South-East Europe
- Invitation to the General Assembly
- Invitation to the annual Garden Party, the big social event of Vienna Economic Forum, every June