The European Centre is a UN-affiliated intergovernmental organisation based in Vienna. Its purpose, as laid down in a series of formal Agreements under international law between the United Nations and the Federal Government of Austria as the Host Country, is to foster the collaboration between governments and organisations in the field of social welfare. It is registered as an association under Austrian Law (Register of Associations ZVR 583470062). The main tasks comprise the exchange of professional experiences, research, and the maintenance of relations between UN-European countries and institutions active in the field of social welfare.

Research activities within the Centre are organised into three research teams, the Employment and Labour Mobility Team, the Health and Care Team and the Social Protection and Inclusion Team.

Chair

Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly, Director-General, United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Vienna International Centre

Acting Chair

Ms. Angela Me, Acting Chair of the Board of Directors, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).

Board of Directors

The Board is convened annually at the initiative of the Chair. It considers all matters of the Centre relating to the previous year's activities and the activities scheduled for the coming year.

The European Centre's Board of Directors consists of

• up to nine members appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations
• up to six members appointed by the Host Government
• the Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, normally the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), who is the Chairman of the Board
• the Executive Director, who is ex officio a non-voting member of the Board

The Board Members appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations are nominated and appointed as (i) experts in the field of social welfare and development, (ii) nationals of States, other than Austria, collaborating with the Centre, and (iii) representing countries at different stages of social and economic development.