International development cooperation

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.

The strategy will apply to the period 2022–2026 and provide a total of SEK 4.3 billion for activities implemented by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

The Government has presented Sida’s appropriation directions for 2023. The agency’s mandate includes reform and reconstruction support to Ukraine, a strong role for the business sector in development cooperation, advancement of work on migration issues and increased climate aid.

Sweden supports the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea Grain Initiative and Grain from Ukraine. These initiatives aim to alleviate the global hunger crisis and the risk of famine that have been exacerbated by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and to support the Ukrainian economy and agricultural sector.

The Government is increasing its support to Ukraine by SEK 600 million through a new mechanism under the World Bank. It aims to maintain access to energy, heating and health care, and to support agriculture and the education system.

On 17 November, the agreement on Ukrainian grain exports was extended by four months. The agreement, negotiated by the UN and Türkiye, has facilitated the export of over 11 million metric tonnes of grain and foodstuffs from Ukraine.

Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell is visiting Kenya on 23–24 November 2022. The Minister’s visit will take place in conjunction with the official visit to Kenya of Crown Princess Victoria and Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon.