Monica Juma welcomes closer Austria-UN ties ahead of Security Council term
By Faith Lagat, July 3, 2026Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Monica Juma, has reaffirmed Austria’s role as a key United Nations partner as the country prepares to serve on the UN Security Council in 2027-2028.
In a post on X on Friday, July 3, 2026, Juma said she held talks with Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker at the historic Chancellery building, where they discussed strengthening cooperation between Austria and the United Nations.
“Austria has long been a trusted partner of the @UN, with a proud tradition of diplomacy that has shaped international cooperation for decades,” she stated.
She said their discussions focused on building on Austria’s position as a UN host country, elevating its international profile, supporting the diverse UN community in Vienna and ensuring the city remains a platform for international dialogue.
Multilateral cooperation
Juma said she looked forward to working closely with Austria during its 2027-2028 term on the UN Security Council.
“I look forward to working closely with Austria, particularly during its 2027–2028 term on the UN Security Council, to strengthen multilateralism and reinforce the importance of the UN’s work,” she added.
She also thanked Austria for its longstanding partnership with the United Nations and for hosting the UN community in Vienna.
Austria was elected to the UN Security Council in June 2026 for the 2027-2028 term. The country will be serving its fourth term as a non-permanent member of the 15-member council.
Vienna remains one of the United Nations’ major headquarters, hosting several international organisations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Juma’s new UN role
The meeting comes weeks after Juma assumed office as Executive Director of UNODC and Director-General of UNOV. She officially took the oath of office before United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on June 11, 2026.
Before joining the United Nations, Juma served in several senior positions in Kenya, including National Security Adviser, Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Cabinet Secretary for Energy. She also served as Kenya’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti and Permanent Representative to the African Union.
Since taking office, Juma has held engagements with UNODC field leadership on strengthening international cooperation in addressing transnational organised crime, drug trafficking, corruption, terrorism and illicit financial flows.
She also marked the International Day of Women in Diplomacy on June 24, calling for greater representation of women in peace processes and diplomatic leadership.
Friday’s meeting with Chancellor Stocker formed part of her engagements aimed at strengthening partnerships between the United Nations and member states, with discussions focusing on Austria’s role as a UN host nation and its upcoming term on the Security Council.