IMF and Austria Renew Agreement Underpinning the Work of the Joint Vienna Institute

I am delighted to report that the IMF and the Austrian Authorities have renewed the cooperation agreement underpinning the work of the Joint Vienna Institute (JVI), setting for next chapter of this highly successful partnership through to 2030.

The agreement was signed on June 18, 2026, by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, Austrian Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer, Oesterreichische Nationalbank Governor Martin Kocher, and OeNB Vice Governor Edeltraud Stiftinger. Their renewed commitment is a well-deserved recognition of the JVI’s continued importance as a hub for economic learning, policy dialogue, and international cooperation across Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, as well as Iran and Türkiye.

The JVI’s mission is as relevant today as ever. In a more complex and uncertain global environment, public sector policy makers and leaders need hands-on experience with cutting-edge, yet practical, analytical tools, a place to learn from the experience of others, and the opportunity to build trusted networks. The JVI is uniquely placed to offer all of these: combining policy-oriented training—provided by IMF staff, the Austrian authorities, JVI staff and all of our remarkable partners—with an open and collaborative learning environment.

Since its establishment in 1992, the JVI has trained almost 60,000 officials from the 31 countries in the JVI region and beyond. Today, the JVI delivers around 100 courses, seminars, peer-to-peer exchanges, and other events each year, covering macroeconomics, fiscal and financial sector policies, public governance, structural reforms, digitalization, and emerging policy challenges. Among our alumni are heads of state and government, central bank governors, ministers, and many other senior officials — a powerful reminder of the JVI’s reach and impact.

On behalf of the JVI, and the officials from across our region who benefit directly from this work, I am deeply grateful to Austria and the IMF for their enduring trust, support, and generosity. We look forward to continuing to work with them, and with all of our partners, to help build more innovative, inclusive, and resilient economies across the JVI region.

Ben Kelmanson, Director, Joint Vienna Institute

See related press releases: available on the IMF and Oesterreichische Nationalbank websites.