Minister for Foreign Affairs visits Colombia

During the first day of the visit, Ms Malmer Stenergard was received by President Gustavo Petro and newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Laura Sarabia. She also met with Colombia’s Vice President and Minister of Equality and Equity Francia Márquez to discuss bilateral relations, peace, gender equality and human rights. Ms Malmer Stenergard also took part in a conference together with the Swedish business delegation and Colombian actors to discuss sustainable mining and green transition.

In addition, Ms Malmer Stenergard signed a bilateral agreement on law enforcement together with Colombia’s Minister of Justice Ángela María Buitrago and Minister of National Defence Iván Velásquez. This agreement aims to expand cooperation between the countries to combat organised crime, drug trafficking and cyber threats. 

During the second day of the visit, Ms Malmer Stenergard visited the department of Chocó on Colombia’s Pacific Coast together with UN Women and a number of Swedish development assistance partners. She also met with government agencies, UN bodies and representatives from civil society working with peace issues, humanitarian assistance to victims of the armed conflict in Colombia, and women’s empowerment and participation in the peace process. Further support to UN Women was launched in Chocó with a focus on the women, peace and security agenda as well as cooperation with the private sector to promote women’s economic empowerment.

This visit highlights the Swedish Government’s ambition to further deepen cooperation with Colombia within the areas of peace, gender equality, green transition and trade.