Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Russia’s illegal attacks on health and medical care facilities during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine have severe consequences for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The Swedish Government has therefore approved an additional SEK 50 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its operations in Ukraine.

The Swedish State Visit to Singapore 19-21 November 2024 by his Majesty The King, provides a unique opportunity to deepen existing collaborations and develop new areas of collaboration between Singapore and Sweden. During the visit, attention will be paid to several areas of collaboration, i.e. health, defence, energy, transport and civil aviation.

Sweden is increasing its support to Moldova by SEK 129 million to strengthen the country’s democracy and societal resilience. The aim is to improve Moldova’s capacity to audit campaign finance, resist cyberattacks, combat corruption and increase transparency in the judicial system.

Sweden’s Government has approved support to the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF IV/IDB Lab). Sweden will contribute a maximum of USD 3.35 million (approximately SEK 37 million) in the fourth replenishment of the MIF. MIF/IDB Lab is an entity within the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), focused on the private sector. The Investment Fund focuses on the development of small businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean. These new funds will contribute to investments within private sector development, innovation, climate, equality, women’s economic empowerment and migration.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard spoke at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Singapore on 20th November 2024. During this IISS Raffles Lecture Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard talked about strengthening Cross-Regional Security: Sweden and the Indo-Pacific. Check against delivery.

On 22 November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will visit Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, where she will meet with the Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The EU has imposed new sanctions against Iran, in response to Iran’s military support of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These restrictive measures aim to obstruct Iran’s production of weapons and arms supplies to Russia.

Sweden is and will remain one of the world’s most generous donors of international climate finance. Swedish climate aid will be expanded and streamlined. With its substantial contribution in 2022, Sweden played a significant role in achieving the goal of USD 100 billion per year in global climate finance. Sweden’s contribution to international climate finance is at the core of its climate policy. International climate finance will contribute to both emissions reductions and climate adaptation.

Ukraine’s closer ties with the EU promote the country’s development and contribute to security and stability throughout Europe. Sweden is a committed and long-term partner in this integration process and supports Ukraine on its path towards EU membership.

On Thursday 14 November, Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid A. Al-Falih visited Sweden. Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa hosted the visit, which focused on Swedish companies.

Sweden has announced its contribution of SEK 8 billion to the UN Green Climate Fund (GCF), making the country one of the largest donors. Through the GCF, low- and middle-income countries can receive support to implement climate investments for reduced emissions and protect their societies against climate change by taking adaptation measures.

On 12 November, the Embassy of Sweden was officially inaugurated in Dublin. The Embassy has been long-awaited in Dublin, and its establishment has been met with great interest from both Swedish and Irish parties.

On 19–21 November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will take part in the State Visit by TM The King and Queen to Singapore. During the Visit, Ms Malmer Stenergard will meet with her Singaporean counterpart and other government representatives, and take part in security and trade-related talks. She will also give a speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a think tank. The King and Queen will have meetings with the President and Prime Minister of Singapore, which Ms Malmer Stenergard will also attend.

Their Majesties The King and Queen will pay a State Visit to Singapore on 19–21 November 2024 at the invitation of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

In connection with the COP29 climate change conference, Sweden is announcing a contribution to a new fund that aims to help particularly vulnerable countries manage climate-related loss and damage (the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage). The Fund is under the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard delivered a speech to the diplomatic corps on 11th November 2024, in Stockholm. Check against delivery.

On 11–13 November, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa and Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz will receive Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan.

Today, the EU decided to extend the European Union Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) Ukraine. The Mission strengthens Ukraine’s capability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and will now be extended by two years.

Together with his ministerial counterparts in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa has written a letter to the European Commission proposing increased import tariffs on Russian goods.

The Government decided today to task Business Sweden with stepping up its efforts to promote investments in the Swedish battery value chain, i.e. in all parts of production. The aim is to enable capital and important expertise to be brought into and retained in the Swedish business sector. The assignment also includes helping relevant companies and national, regional and local actors with advice and contacts.