Ministry for Foreign Affairs

The situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region is increasingly critical following recent developments, and a large number of people are in need of humanitarian assistance. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is providing SEK 15 million in support to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to meet people’s urgent needs, including medical transport, food and cash grants to be able to purchase the most essential items.

On 28 September 2023, Mr Billström is visiting The Hague for talks with Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Hanke Bruins Slot. Mr Billström is also planning to visit the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The needs for assistance in Libya are immense after the country was hit hard by Storm Daniel, which caused widespread flooding. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is providing initial support of SEK 15 million for life-saving activities in the form of food provision, medicines and other essential emergency items to support survivors.

Sweden’s development assistance for health amounted to approximately SEK 6 billion in 2022. This report focuses on the contributions Sweden’s development assistance for health has made in four key areas, including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and prevention and management of health threats.

National Statement at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) delivered by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström on behalf of Sweden. New York, September 2023 Check against delivery

Following more than 15 years of negotiations, in March 2023 the UN successfully adopted a new global treaty to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Sweden has now signed the treaty, which establishes rules to limit environmental impacts and create marine protected areas in the high seas, which make up approximately 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans.

The Government is now increasing support to the World Food Programme (WFP) by SEK 239 million to immediately address the deepened global hunger crisis, which has been exacerbated by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The funds will be used to address the huge needs in many of the world’s hardest hit countries.

On 18–26 September, several high-level meetings will be held in connection with the opening of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters in New York. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson will attend.

Members of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse gave a statement on women’s and girls’ rights to participate in public life.

On 24–25 October, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, together with his wife Brigitte Macron, will pay a State Visit to Sweden at the invitation of HM the King.

On 4–5 September, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell is visiting Cairo for meetings with the Egyptian Government and Swedish and Egyptian companies. Egypt is Sweden’s second-largest export market on the African continent, and the aim of the trip is to further trade between the countries.

On Friday 1 September, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström received a congressional delegation from the United States House of Representatives. The delegation included members of both the Republican and Democratic parties and was led by Republican Michael McCaul, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The visit aimed to follow up on the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Sweden’s forthcoming membership of NATO and the continued support to Ukraine.

Tomorrow, Friday 1 September, Tobias Billström will hold a press briefing together with members of the United States Congress. Alongside the visiting Congress members, Mr Billström will discuss Sweden’s forthcoming NATO membership and the continued support to Ukraine.

The Government has appointed Andrés Jato as special envoy for international cyber issues. Cyber issues are becoming increasingly important to foreign and security policy. The Government is now strengthening the Swedish Foreign Service’s ability to advance these issues

This compilation contains a selection of acts and ordinances – both new and amended – that enter into force around the second half of 2023.

On 4 August, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström hosted a dialogue with ambassadors of OIC Member States at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The dialogue took place against the backdrop of repeated burnings of copies of holy scriptures and the resolution adopted by the OIC Member States at the Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign ministers of the OIC.

In light of the recent developments, Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström invited representatives of faith communities to a discussion to listen to their views and thoughts on recent events.

Ahead of the anniversary of the August 2020 presidential election in Belarus, the EU is imposing new sanctions in response to the increased domestic repression in the country. The measures are also in response to Belarus’s support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström ahead of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation foreign ministers meeting on 31 July.

The Swedish Government is engaged in intensive efforts following recent events, including the storming of the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad. Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström met with the Riksdag parties in the Committee on Foreign Affairs to provide information about the ongoing work, which is ultimately about the safety and security of the Swedish people.