Arab League expands Vienna office as Berlin post closes
Sunday 18th October 2026 on 15:15 in
Austria
The Arab League will expand its Vienna office and close its diplomatic representation in Germany, with Germany to be covered from Vienna, ORF reported Sunday.
The changes were reported by foreign policy and diplomacy outlet diplo.news, citing diplomatic sources. Cost savings have been given as the official reason, while observers cited by the outlet have questioned whether other factors were involved. Rumours point to possible dissatisfaction with Germany’s Middle East policy.
The Berlin representation is expected to close in the coming months. The league is also set to close its offices in Buenos Aires and Nairobi in the first half of next year.
The Vienna office, near the United Nations complex in Vienna’s Donaustadt district, has embassy status. It serves as a liaison with Austria and international organisations, including UN bodies. Austria has been accredited as an observer to the Arab League since 2013.
The league has 22 members. Its main aim is to strengthen relations among them and coordinate their political activities. Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy has served as its secretary-general since July 2026.