International development cooperation

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.

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.

Closing remarks by Swedish State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Diana Janse at the European Humanitarian Forum on 21 March 2023 in Brussels. Check against delivery.

Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström at the European Humanitarian Forum on 20 March 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.

Today, a total of €7 billion were pledged by the international community at the ‘Together for the people of Türkiye and Syria’ International Donors’ Conference, co-hosted by the President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, and by the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, for the Swedish Presidency of the Council.

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.

Earthquakes: The European Commission and the Swedish Council Presidency will host an International Donors’ Conference in support of the people in Türkiye and Syria on 20 March in Brussels.

This support is intended to strengthen the two countries’ efforts to meet the humanitarian needs of women and girls and promote their opportunities and rights in both the short and the long term. The support will be channelled through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women.

The Government has decided to donate 722 000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to the COVAX global vaccine initiative. Sweden has thereby donated more than 15 million doses and contributed more than SEK 2 billion to global vaccination efforts against COVID-19.

On 27 February, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Nations hosted a high-level pledging event for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis hosted the event, which raised almost USD 1.2 billion for life-saving assistance. Sweden pledged more than USD 25 million.

As part of the Government’s clear prioritisation of Ukraine, yet another extensive Swedish support package is being allocated to the country. The support focuses on humanitarian operations and Ukraine’s energy sector.

On 15 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström presented the 2023 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. Check against delivery.

The Government is taking swift and resolute action in response to the earthquake that hit Türkiye and northern Syria today, through support measures and in its role as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

On Monday 6 February at 17.00, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Director General for the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) Charlotte Petri Gornitzka will hold a joint press conference on Swedens support to Türkiye and Syria.

Speech delivered by Diana Janse, State Secretary to Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, at the launch of IDEA's report on EU external democracy action in Brussels on 31 January 2023. Check against delivery.

Today, 26 January, the Government has decided to provide further support to Ukraine. This support aims to improve nuclear safety and electricity supply in Ukraine by funding the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The support amounts to a total of SEK 20 million in 2023.