Vienna is among one of four headquarters of the United Nations (UN), following Geneva, New York and Nairobi. Some 4,000 employees from over 100 countries, one third of which are Austrians, work for VIC’s various organisations. The Visitors Centre, opened in 1998, is located at Gate 1 of the VIC. The founders of the Centre purposed to inform the public via material and online publications, and guided VIC tours. In 2000, the Centre made architectural improvements, resulting in the UN 21 Award, for innovation and efficiency in its programmes and bringing the UN closer to the public.

The UNOV and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) work together to conduct international conferences, workshops and group meetings for professionals. The UNODC Annual Report reveals the fight against illegal drugs and international organised crime. In 2006, UNODC’s announced a record opium harvest in Afghanistan and raised the issue of growing cocaine use in Europe, as well as people trafficking. UNOV is headed by Director-General Antonio Maria Costa, who also is the executive director of the UNODC.