Government policy

Sweden has contributed military support to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. There has been a significant change in the level and content of the support provided by Sweden: from personal protective equipment in the first decision to tanks, advanced weapons systems and ammunition in later packages. The total value of Sweden’s military aid to Ukraine stands at just over SEK 20 billion (16 August 2023). Military aid can be divided into two main categories: arms and equipment, and financial assistance via funds. In addition, Sweden has entered into an agreement on Swedish-Ukrainian procurement cooperation for defence materiel and contributed personnel to multiple training operations.

Information about the Government’s measures to strengthen Sweden’s security, protect Swedish citizens and safeguard Swedish economic interests in light of the serious security situation is available here.

The Government’s task force for Jewish life in Sweden was presented in January 2023. The working group collaborates and conducts dialogue on preventive measures and efforts to improve the conditions for Jewish life and prevent and combat antisemitism in Sweden. This page contains a list of documents and articles on the group’s work and the Government’s other measures to combat antisemitism.

Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sweden has provided military, humanitarian and civil support to support Ukraine. Since February 2022, Sweden contributed more than SEK 25 billion (approx. EUR 2.1 billion*) to various initiatives that support Ukraine (16 August 2023). Together with the EU, Sweden has also adopted macroeconomic support and several sanctions packages against Russia.

Sweden’s migration policy is undergoing a paradigm shift. The Government is intensifying its efforts to reduce, in full compliance with Sweden’s international commitments, the number of migrants coming irregularly to Sweden. Labour immigration fraud and abuses must be stopped and the ‘shadow society’ combated. Sweden will continue to have dignified reception standards, and those who have no grounds for protection or other legal right to stay in Sweden must be expelled.

On 16 May 2022 the Government, with broad support in the Riksdag, decided to apply for NATO membership. On 5 July 2022, all NATO member countries signed the Accession Protocol for Sweden. Until all NATO countries have ratified Sweden’s application for NATO membership, it has the status of invitee country. Sweden is now gradually being integrated into NATO’s political and military structures. On 8 March 2023, the Government submitted the bill on Sweden’s NATO membership to the Riksdag for approval, and on 22 March the Riksdag approved Sweden’s accession to NATO.

Sweden holds the Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, the IHRA, twenty plus years after the first Stockholm Forum on the Holocaust and one year after the Malmö Forum, Remember – ReAct. The Presidency, Together for Impact, began on 1 March of 2022 and will continue until the end of February of 2023. Sweden assumes the Presidency at a time when the IHRA is needed more than ever; anti-democratic forces are gaining ground, spreading antisemitism, antigypsyism, disinformation and distortion, not least on social media platforms. The Presidency has two major priorities; following up on the pledges made at the Malmö Forum and focusing on further strengthening the IHRA as an institution.

In the first half of 2023, Sweden held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. For six months, Sweden led the work in the Council with the aim of making the EU more secure, freer and greener.

Countries adhering to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises support and promote standards for responsible business conduct through National Contact Points (NCPs). Sweden’s NCP is a tripartite collaboration between the State, the business sector and worker organisations.

Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway are part of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO). This cooperation started in 2009 and primarily aims to increase the countries’ defence capabilities and enhance our possibilities to take joint action if a crisis arises in our neighbourhood.

The Swedish carbon tax was instituted in 1991, alongside an already existing energy tax, and it remains a cornerstone of Swedish climate policy. Over time, the carbon tax has increased in importance, contributing to a broad range of environmental and climate objectives.

The Swedish Government has presented a range of different measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus and to mitigate the economic impact of it. The government’s overarching goal is to safeguard people’s lives and health and to secure the health care capacity. The Government’s policy and decisions aim to: • Limit the spread of infection in the country • Ensure health care resources are available • Limit the impact on critical services • Alleviate the impact on people and companies • Ease concern, for example by providing information • Ensure that the right measures are taken at the right time.

The Global Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development seek to end poverty and hunger, realise the human rights of all, achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, and ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources. The Global Goals are integrated and indivisible, and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental.