Johan Forssell

From 30 November to 12 December, the world is gathering in Dubai for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28). The Swedish Government is being be represented there by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch, Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari and Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.

The education sector in Ukraine has been severely affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Since February 2022, more than 3 000 preschools, schools and other educational establishments have been damaged, and 360 have been completely destroyed. Sweden is now providing SEK 75 million to the UNESCO Emergency Fund. The Fund is, among other things, supporting renovation and reconstruction of damaged and destroyed shelters in preschools and schools.

Through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Sweden is providing an additional SEK 60 million in humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable civilian population in Gaza, where the majority of those affected are women and children.

Today, 9 November, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell has attended an international conference in Paris on support to the civilian population in Gaza. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the conference, which gathered a large number of donors, aid organisations and countries from the region to discuss humanitarian access to civilians in Gaza, where there is still a shortage of essential supplies.

The Government has presented a new package of humanitarian aid in light of the developments in Gaza. The aid, which amounts to SEK 150 million, aims to meet the most urgent needs and focuses on women and children.

On 26 October, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell visited the Saudi capital, Riyadh for meetings with the Saudi Government and to participate in the international Future Investment Initiative innovation conference.

The funds will support Moldova’s vulnerable households through the winter, and contribute to long-term energy efficiency and expansion of infrastructure in the country.

Yesterday evening, the Government received the alarming news that two Swedes were killed in a terrorist attack in Brussels. The attack appears to have been aimed at Sweden and Swedish interests. Our thoughts are with the deceased and their relatives.

Armenia has received more than 100 000 refugees as a result of Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Sweden is supporting the humanitarian response and Armenia’s refugee reception through targeted humanitarian support, extensive core support to humanitarian organisations and long-term reform support.

The Government is allocating SEK 15 million to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to support refugee reception in Armenia. This targeted assistance is being provided in light of the developments in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In response to the attacks against Israel by the terrorist organisation Hamas, the Government will suspend aid to Palestine until further notice. At the same time, Sida will be instructed to conduct a review of aid to Palestine and report on this by 1 December 2023. Humanitarian aid will not be affected by the suspension.

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.