The chancery building is home to the ambassador's office, the consular section, the embassy's economic and political departments, and the following offices:
Austrian Press and Information Service in the United States
"Austrian Information", published by the embassy
The Austrian Press and Information Service acts as the embassy's press and public diplomacy office. Founded in 1948 as part of the Austrian Consulate General in New York City, the service moved and integrated its offices into the Austrian Embassy in Washington, D.C., in 1992. It publishes a quarterly zine, Austrian Information,[2] in printed and electronic format, as well as "Jewish News from Austria",[3] a translation of Austrian media reports on Jewish life in Austria, in electronic format.
The service publishes a monthly, electronic newsletter, the Austrian Dispatch, and is responsible for two embassy websites, Taste of Austria[4] and Culture Space [5] and "Project 175" [6] and the embassy's social media accounts on Facebook,[7]Pinterest,[8] and Twitter.[9][10]
Austrian Cultural Forum
The Austrian Cultural Forum Washington, D.C., is one of Austria’s two cultural representation offices in the United States; the other is in New York City. It was created with the objective of serving as a focus of cultural exchange between Austrians, Europeans, and Americans. It is an agency of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs and is integrated into the Austrian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Its objectives are:
Presenting contemporary, innovative artistic and scientific achievements in a broad range of discipline;
Providing a platform for presentations of emerging artists who have their life and career centered in Austria;
Creating interfaces and promoting interaction between Austrian/European and American cultural institutions and artists;
Acting as a forum for dialogue and discourse on relevant issues in culture and politics;
Promoting and highlighting cultural and scientific contributions from or about Austria.
The Austrian Cultural Forum organizes and supports a variety of cultural events, including concerts, film screenings, exhibitions, theatre, lectures, panel discussions, and symposia, most of which take place in the Atrium of the Austrian Embassy. Most events at the embassy are open to the public and free of charge.[11]
The Office of Science & Technology (OSTA) at the Embassy of Austria in Washington, D.C., acts as a strategic interface in the areas of higher education, science, research, and innovation policy between Austria and North America. It provides information on science and technology and higher education trends and policy in Austria, Europe, and North America with its online magazine bridges. It also promotes transatlantic cooperation through support and advice on initiating research and development cooperation between institutions in Austria and North America. It supports and connects Austrian scientists in North America through the Research and Innovation Network Austria.[12]
Commercial section
The commercial section of the embassy is not housed in the chancery building, but located at 818 18th Street, NW, Suite 500, in Washington, D.C., 20006. Its tasks include:
business development for Austrian companies vis-a-vis the International Financial Institutions
trade policy issues between Austria and the United States
public procurement, particularly in the military and homeland security sectors
export control issues and US sanctions' policies,
cooperation with interest groups, associations, and chambers in Washington, D.C.[13]
