I am honoured to invite you personally to the twenty-first World Congress of Neurology, which will take place in September 2013 in Vienna and which I am sure will leave a lasting impression on us all. The congress theme is “Neurology in the age of globalization”. We will discuss the major breakthroughs and developments in the field of neurology – from clinical practice to research and technology. In addition to a top-rate scientific program, there will be many opportunities for hands-on learning and networking as well as exciting social events. As the chairman of the Austrian Society of Neurology, I am happy that the EFNS - The European Federation of Neurological Societies and the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) - are our partners in this important event. I look forward to welcoming you to Vienna, a majestic capital, filled with beautiful architecture and cultural attractions. The Austrian capital city can be considered an ideal location for an international medical congress of this dimension. Vienna is a city rich in culture and boasts an impressive history in the medical sciences with all the modern amenities. Vienna is located in the heart of Europe and is easy to reach by plane, train, car or boat. The city offers excellent conference infrastructure and the highly professional services required for the organization of the World Congress of Neurology. Vienna has successfully hosted large congresses in the past, with up to 30,000 delegates. Vienna and its environments offer an exceptional range of accommodation – from luxury 5 star to moderately priced and inexpensive hotels. Vienna has always been a magnet for the “new” EU countries and its long established traditional medical contacts extend beyond Europe into all parts of the world. Hence, the congress will be held in close collaboration with our neighboring countries. The Austrian capital is famous for its hospitality and culture. We are confident that the social events and leisure activities will contribute to the success of the congress.