(Approved by the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund on January 21, 1994 (Decision No. 10575-(94/4), January 21, 1994) and came into force on August 19, 1994.)
Table of Contents
Agreement for the Establishment of the Joint Vienna Institute
The Parties Signatory Hereto,
Recognizing the importance of assisting Central and Eastern European countries and countries formerly republics of the U.S.S.R. in their transition to market-based economies;
Noting that the training of officials from these countries is one important component of such assistance;
Having Regard to the common interests of the Parties in establishing a training institute in Vienna, Austria, for this purpose; and
Responding to the invitation of the Republic of Austria to locate such an institute in Vienna;
Have Agreed as follows:
Article I: Establishment and Status
1. There is hereby established the Joint Vienna Institute (the “Institute”) as an international organization with full juridical personality.
2. The Institute shall operate in accordance with this Agreement.
Article II: Purpose and Activities
1. The purpose of the Institute shall be to provide training to support and supplement the national efforts of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the countries formerly republics of the U.S.S.R., and other countries, in their transition from centrally planned economies to market-based economies.
2. To this end, the Institute shall offer courses of instruction of the highest standard and of direct relevance to the purpose of paragraph 1 above, including courses in the areas of administration and economic and financial management. The Institute shall provide training primarily to public officials, and to other persons, with due regard to the role of the private sector. The Institute will also assist training institutes by providing training and other support.
Article III: Powers
The Institute shall have the capacity:
(a) to contract;
(b) to acquire and dispose of immovable and movable property;
(c) to institute and respond to legal proceedings; and
(d) to take such other action as may be necessary or useful for its purpose and activities.
Article IV: Headquarters
1. The headquarters of the Institute shall be located in Vienna, Austria, under such terms and conditions as agreed between the Institute and the Republic of Austria.
2. The Institute may establish facilities in other locations as required to support its activities.
Article V: Organization and Management
1. Structure of the Institute
The Institute shall have an Executive Board, an Advisory Committee, a Director, and staff.
2. Executive Board
(a) The Executive Board (the “Board”) shall be responsible for the conduct of the business of the Institute.
(b) Each of the Parties shall appoint one Member to the Board and one Alternate Member to act for the Member when he is unable to serve.
(c) The Board shall elect a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman from among its Members.
(d) The Board shall meet at least once a year. Meetings of the Board shall be called by the Chairman as required or when requested by at least two Members of the Board.
(e) A majority of Members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the Board.
(f) Decisions of the Board shall be taken by a majority of votes cast, provided that:
(i) the following decisions shall be subject to the approval of all Members voting: decisions under Article V, paragraph 2(g)(i), Article V, paragraph 2(g)(iii), Article V, paragraph 2(g)(vi) and Article XVI; and
(ii) the following decisions shall be subject to the approval of four-fifths of all Members voting: decisions approving the work program under Article V, paragraph 2(g)(ii) and decisions approving the annual budget under Article V, paragraph 2(g)(iv).
(g) The Board shall:
(i) adopt by-laws for the governance of the Institute in accordance with this Agreement, including by-laws for the implementation of the provisions of Article IX, paragraphs 3 and 4;
(ii) determine the Institute’s policies and approve its work program;
(iii) select the Director and external auditor of the Institute;
(iv) approve the Institute’s annual budget, audited financial statements and reports;
(v) appoint members of the Advisory Committee; and
(vi) approve agreements to be concluded under Article VIII.
3. Director and Staff
(a) The Director shall be chief of the operating staff of the Institute and shall, under the direction of the Board:
(i) conduct the ordinary business of the Institute;
(ii) represent the Institute in its dealings with third parties; and
(iii) do and perform all other acts necessary to further the purpose of the Institute.
(b) The Director shall serve for a term of two years, subject to renewal.
(c) The Director shall be responsible entirely to the Board, and to no other authority, for operating and managing the Institute in accordance with this Agreement, the by-laws and other decisions of the Board.
(d) Subject to the general control of the Board, the Director shall be responsible for the organization, appointment and dismissal of the staff of the Institute. In appointing the staff, the Director shall secure the highest standards of efficiency and of technical competence.
4. Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee shall consist of members appointed by the Board, including representatives of countries referred to in Article II, paragraph 1, to advise it on the Institute’s general training policies and programs.
Article VI: Associate Members
1. The Board may appoint major contributors to the Institute as Associate Members for such periods of time as it shall determine.
2. The Board may invite Associate Members to participate in its meetings for particular agenda items. Associate Members shall have no right to vote.
3. The Institute shall provide Associate Members with copies of its work program, annual budget, and of its annual report referred to in Article IX, paragraph 4.
Article VII: Cooperative Relationships
The Institute may establish cooperative relationships with any public or private entity, including other training and teaching institutions.
Article VIII: Privileges and Immunities
1. The Institute, the Members of the Board and their alternates, members of the Advisory Committee, the Director, staff and experts shall enjoy such privileges and immunities as agreed between the Institute and the Republic of Austria.
2. The Institute may conclude agreements with other countries in order to secure appropriate privileges and immunities.
Article IX: Finances and Reports
1. The resources of the Institute shall include the following:
(a) voluntary contributions by each Party;
(b) contributions by the Republic of Austria;
(c) contributions from other sources; and
(d) income accruing from such contributions and other income.
2. The fiscal year of the Institute shall be the calendar year.
3. Each year, the Director shall prepare and submit to the Board, for its approval, the annual work program and budget.
4. Each year, the Director shall prepare and submit to the Board, for its approval, an annual report containing an audited statement of the Institute’s accounts and a summary of the activities of the Institute. Such audit shall be conducted by an independent external auditor selected by the Board.
Article X: Liability
1. No Party or Associate Member shall be required to provide financial support to the Institute beyond such contributions as it has pledged.
2. The Parties shall not be responsible, individually or collectively, for any debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the Institute; a statement to this effect shall be included in each of the agreements concluded by the Institute under Article VIII.
Article XI: Amendments
This Agreement may be amended only with the agreement of all Parties.
Article XII: Coming into Force and Depositary
1. This Agreement shall be open for signature by the following organizations: The Bank for International Settlements, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
2. This Agreement shall come into force upon signature by four of the above-named organizations and shall remain open for signature by such organizations for a period of one year from the date of its coming into force.
3. The Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria shall be the Depositary of this Agreement.
Article XIII: Settlement of Disputes
Any dispute arising between the Institute and any Party or between any Parties under this Agreement shall be settled by negotiation or other agreed means of settlement.
Article XIV: Withdrawal
1. Any of the Parties may withdraw from this Agreement by written notification to the Depositary. Such withdrawal shall become effective three months after receipt of such notification by the Depositary.
2. Withdrawal from this Agreement by a Party shall not limit, reduce or otherwise affect its pledged contribution for the fiscal year in which it withdraws.
Article XV: Termination
1. The duration of this Agreement shall be five years from the date of its coming into force unless the Parties unanimously decide to extend the duration of this Agreement by one or more successive periods of twelve months. At the expiration of this initial term of five years or any extension thereof, the Parties shall forthwith wind up the Institute by written notification to the Depositary. Any assets of the Institute remaining after payment of its legal obligations shall be disposed of in accordance with a decision of the Board.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the Parties, acting unanimously, may terminate this Agreement at any time and wind up the Institute by written notification to the Depositary. Any assets of the Institute remaining after payment of its legal obligations shall be disposed of in accordance with a decision of the Board.
3. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive its termination to the extent necessary to permit an orderly disposal of assets and settlement of accounts.
Article XVI: Accession
This Agreement shall be open for signature by such international organizations as may be decided by the Board.
In Witness Whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized, have signed this Agreement on the dates indicated below.
For the Bank for International Settlements:
For the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development:
For the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development:
For the International Monetary Fund:
For the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development:
