Johan Forssell

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.

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.

The Government has adopted a new strategy for Sweden’s recovery and reform cooperation with Ukraine for 2023–2027. The strategy will provide a total of approximately EUR 522 million (SEK 6 billion) and is Sweden’s largest-ever bilateral development assistance strategy.

The Council of the European Union will today adopt a decision to sign a free trade agreement with New Zealand. It will also adopt a decision to authorise the European Commission to open negotiations on agreements on digital trade rules with Singapore and South Korea, and on the conclusion of digital trade principles with Japan.

The Government today announced a new package of humanitarian and recovery support to Ukraine. The SEK 380 million in support is aimed at the most urgent needs and emphasises the important role of civil society organisations.

Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell will attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference on 21 June. The focus will be on the role of the private sector in building and strengthening the country. The conference will be held in London and gather representatives from more than 100 countries, organisations and businesses.

Sweden is donating approximately EUR 14.1 million million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for reconstruction work in Türkiye in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in February. This support will contribute to building homes, increasing access to health and social care services, restoring people’s possibilities to support themselves and rebuilding vital infrastructure.

Today, Wednesday 8 June, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell is hosting an international conference on recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine. The aim is to promote and facilitate private sector engagement in these efforts, and to prepare for the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on 21–22 June.

As holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Sweden hosted the fourth meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Luleå on 30–31 May. Luleå, located in Sweden’s Arctic region, was selected as the venue to showcase Swedish solutions for the green and industrial transitions.

On 30–31 May, Sweden will host a meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) within the framework of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The TTC serves as the main forum for the US and EU to coordinate approaches to key global trade, economic and technology issues. The meeting will be held in Luleå and is the fourth of its kind.

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved the recommendation to establish a Crisis Facility for the International Development Association. This Facility is a funding programme for Ukraine, Moldova and the poorest countries affected by the war in Ukraine. Sweden has been a driving force in this work. The Swedish Government assumed a leading role at an early stage with Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell’s announcement of SEK 600 million in assistance to Ukraine and Moldova in December 2022.

Sweden and the majority of World Health Organization (WHO) Member States in the WHO European Region have decided to relocate the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases from Moscow to Copenhagen. The decision was taken in support of Ukraine and enables the WHO to continue its work fighting noncommunicable diseases in Europe.

On 2 May, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission organised the Single Market Forum (SIMFO) to mark the 30th anniversary of the EU single market. Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton co-hosted the conference. The future of the single market was discussed, with a focus on the digital single market, standardisation and skills supply.

Opening remarks by Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell at the European Humanitarian Forum on 20 March 2023 in Brussels. Check against delivery.

The fourth EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting will be held in Luleå on 30-31 May as part of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The second Summit for Democracy is taking place on 29–30 March. Sweden is represented at the virtual summit and several side events by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

Today, Monday 20 March, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission hosted an International Donors’ Conference in support of the people affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. At the Conference, Sweden presented its total support of approximately EUR 45 million. Pledges made at the Conference totalled approximately EUR 7 billion.

On Monday 20 March, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell will attend the international donors’ conference in Brussels. The Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU initiated the donors’ conference to help the people in Türkiye and Syria affected by the earthquakes.

On 20–21 March, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the European Commission will co-host the European Humanitarian Forum in Brussels. The Forum brings together decision-makers and key actors from the humanitarian community with the aim of strengthening the EU’s role as a humanitarian actor. The Forum will be chaired by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.