International development cooperation
Sweden has a long tradition of generous and ambitious development aid. Development cooperation is about helping to enable poor people to improve their living conditions. Swedish development aid is often channelled through international organisations such as the UN and the EU. Humanitarian assistance refers to Sweden’s activities to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain the human dignity of those affected by natural disasters, armed conflicts or other similar circumstances.
Responsible for international development cooperation
Responsible minister

Responsible ministry
The Global Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
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 Ocean Conference
The Ocean Conference will be held on 5–9 June and, in its capacity as co-initiator together with Fiji, Sweden wants to be sure of ambitious voluntary commitments to step up work on sustainable oceans, which are crucial to both combating poverty and economic development.

New strategy for humanitarian aid
In situations of armed conflict, natural disasters and other disaster situations, humanitarian aid is one of the most effective and tangible means of saving lives and alleviating the suffering of the women, men, girls and boys affected. In January 2017, the Government adopted a new strategy for Sweden’s humanitarian aid via the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) for the period 2017–2020.

The Government’s measures for a more peaceful world
The need for peace in the world is greater than it has been for a long time. The number of conflicts in recent years has increased. Violence in countries such as Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan has turned back decades of economic, social and political development. Climate change, with the accompanying droughts, flooding or lack of freshwater, is accelerating and aggravating the challenges that already exist in fragile states.
Content about international development cooperation
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Ann Linde presented the 2021 Statement of Foreign Policy
Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde presented the Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. This year’s Statement of Foreign Policy was Ms Linde’s second as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
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Statement of Foreign Policy 2021
On 24 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde presented the 2021 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. Check against delivery.
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Strategy for Sweden's cooperation with the World Bank Group 2020-2023
This strategy will underpin Swedish cooperation with the World Bank Group (WBG) in 2020–2023. The strategy establishes the priorities of Sweden’s membership of, and partnership with, the WBG and will guide Sweden’s positions both in the work of the governing board and financing negotiations on future replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA), and the monitoring of these.
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Sweden intends to contribute an additional SEK 100 million for global access to COVID-19 vaccines
The Government intends to provide an additional SEK 100 million in grants to COVAX to make COVID-19 vaccines accessible in low and middle income countries. This means that Sweden is doubling its support to the COVAX global vaccine access initiative.
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USD 12 million in extra support to address increased challenges to democracy and human rights in Asia and the Pacific Region due to COVID-19
The global trend of democratic backsliding, as well as lack of respect for human rights and the rule of law, risks being exacerbated by the pandemic. We have seen several worrying signs of this – not least in Asia and the Pacific Region. The Government has therefore decided to allocate approximately USD 12 million (SEK 100 million) in extra support to the Swedish strategy for regional development cooperation in Asia and the Pacific Region.
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Central role for environment and climate in this year’s Human Development Report
Today, Sweden will co-host the global launch of the UN flagship project, the Human Development Report. This year’s report highlights how economic and human development can occur and be promoted in a way that does not come at the expense of the planet’s resources.
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Sweden supports programme for climate transition of energy-intensive industries in developing countries
At a summit on the climate transition of energy-intensive industries, Minister for Environment and Climate Isabella Lövin announced that Sweden intends to contribute a total of SEK 300 million to a new and innovative industry transition programme within the World Bank’s climate finance mechanism, the Climate Investment Funds (CIF).
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Sweden increases it support to combat violence against women and children
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, men’s violence against women and violence in close relationships is increasing. Sweden therefore intends to contribute SEK 122 million to efforts to eliminate men’s violence against women and violence in close relationships, combat violence against children and strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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The Government is investing SEK 140 million to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health, with a focus on Africa
The COVID-19 pandemic has had major negative impacts on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) worldwide, and at the same time many donors have reduced their aid. Sweden is therefore providing SEK 40 million to Sida’s Strategy for SRHR in sub-Saharan Africa and SEK 100 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
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This year marks the 20th anniversary of Resolution 1325. Sweden strengthens its support for UN peacebuilding efforts and women’s participation
This month we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Within the global response to the covid-19 pandemic, Sweden has decided to contribute an additional 75 million Swedish kronor to sustaining peace efforts, within which women’s meaningful participation is a key component.