Jakob Forssmed

The Swedish Government is presenting a new 10-year national strategy for combating men’s violence against women, domestic violence, exploitation in prostitution and human trafficking, and honour-based violence and oppression. In parallel, the Government has decided on two Government Commissions tasking several government agencies to take part in a national collaboration structure and to monitor progress in relation to the gender equality subgoals to combat violence, oppression and exploitation.

Sweden’s support to Ukraine makes a difference. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has approved increased funding for the National Board of Health and Welfare’s programme for expanded support to Ukraine for health and medical care, care of older people and children.

On Monday 9 February, Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed, Minister for Older People and Social Security Anna Tenje, Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönwall, and the Liberal Party’s Fredrik Malm will hold a press conference to present the Government’s news on its increased support to Ukraine in the health and medical care and social policy areas. Ukraine’s Ambassador to Sweden Svitlana Zalishchuk will attend the press conference.

Jewish culture is an integral part of Swedish culture, and Jewish history in Sweden is an essential thread in the fabric of our shared cultural heritage. It should be self-evident that Jews in Sweden can wear their Star of David or kippah openly and with pride. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

The Government has adopted a new 10-year strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The strategy will guide and reinforce Sweden’s work in this area and contribute to global goals of reducing mortality.

On 15 May 2025, the Government adopted a national strategy to strengthen Jewish life and combat antisemitism. The Government has now appointed a national coordinator in order for the strategy to achieve its objectives and lead to lasting changes in society.

Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed visited New York to take part in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Mr Forssmed delivered Sweden’s national address at the High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases and the Promotion of Mental Health. He also participated in a number of side events linked to promotion of mental health and well-being.

On 21–27 September, the 80th session of the UN General Assembly is being commemorated in New York. In conjunction with the session, a high-level debate and several high-level meetings will convene. His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen will participate during the high-level week. The Government will be represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari and Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed.

After two years of negotiations, EU Member States have agreed on a proposal for a revised pharmaceutical legislation in Europe. The process has met many obstacles along the way and the countries’ positions have been far apart on many fundamental issues, not least in regard to data protection issues and incentives for the development of priority antimicrobials.

The Swedish Government has adopted a national strategy to strengthen Jewish life and combat antisemitism. This strategy will provide a structure for national efforts in the period 2025–2034. The objective is to lay the foundations for more targeted and coordinated efforts and create better conditions for Jewish life in Sweden.

Iceland’s President Halla Tómasdóttir is paying a State Visit to Sweden at the invitation of His Majesty the King. The President is accompanied by her spouse Björn Skúlason, Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and Minister for Health Alma Möller, together with a delegation from the business sector.

Today, 13 March, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa has announced that Sweden will increase development assistance to Ukraine by more than SEK 1.4 billion with the aim of strengthening Ukraine’s resilience and recovery.

Opinion piece by Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed, Altinget, 4 February 2025

Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed has been appointed Vice-Chair of the Global Leaders Group (GLG) on Antimicrobial Resistance, a UN body made up of politicians and experts.

In 2025, the 250th anniversary of established Jewish life in Sweden will be celebrated. This will be an opportunity to highlight the Jewish minority, culture and cultural heritage throughout the country. The Government has therefore, in appropriation directions for 2025, instructed a number of government agencies to help highlight the 250th anniversary. The year 2025 also marks 80 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

The Government is announcing a new action plan to combat racism and hate crime. Through this concerted action, the Government is taking important steps in the efforts to free Sweden from racism and hate crime. The efforts in this area will be accurate, measurable and long-term. Schools, judiciary, welfare and working life will be in focus.

Swedish and Finnish ministers will undertake a number of joint visits on the afternoon of 16 September. Media representatives are welcome to take part in the visits. Contact the relevant press contacts for more information, see below. Note that the list is subject to change.

The Government’s new reform agenda, ‘Development assistance for a new era – freedom, empowerment and sustainable growth’, has a particular focus on improved health for the most vulnerable people. Initiatives are needed to improve prospects of good health, ensure functioning health and medical care systems, and strengthen preparedness, in order to better address health threats at global level. Sweden has an important role to play in these efforts.

Screen time’s impact on the health of children and young people was on the agenda when ministers from across the Nordic region met in Stockholm on 17 April. Minister for Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed hosted the meeting, which was under the auspices of the Swedish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers also discussed how Nordic cooperation against antimicrobial resistance can be strengthened.